Mortgage Bankers Association

At an industry conference, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra said he was open to suggestions on how to increase choice and competition to benefit mortgage lenders and borrowers.

Loan volumes fell for the third straight week, with depressed demand for government lending driving activity downward, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

A continued slowdown in refinances, though, drove overall loan-application volumes lower last week, even as the Government Index posted a small gain, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Both purchases and refinance volumes climbed higher, as interest rates flattened following earlier volatility, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The 30-year average for both conforming and jumbo loans jumped more than 20 basis points, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Home loan applications dropped for the second time in three weeks, with the 30-year conforming interest rate ticking up 13 basis points, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A hike in guarantee fees charged to lenders for the companies’ backing of loans was due to expire this year, but lawmakers now want to extend it to raise $21 billion for the bipartisan package.

The teams include people who previously worked for the Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency as well as HUD.

One could change how commercial property is taxed, the other could change rent control policies. Both might affect financing.

Political donations from the sector and interviews with industry experts highlight a wide range of views on affordable housing resources, the appropriate level of regulatory relief and how policymakers should enforce fair housing rules.