Mortgages

Election speculation about policy change at Fannie Mae has boosted its stock slightly this year. It's also profitable, but there's much more to consider.

Changes to the regulatory regime surrounding the Federal Home Loan banks should be carefully calibrated so as to do no damage to their successful support for housing and the provision of liquidity to members.

The San Antonio-based bank is in the midst of a yearslong expansion effort spanning Houston, Dallas and Austin — all of which are fueling loan growth.

But following the gross domestic product and personal consumption expenditures reports, Treasury yields and mortgage rates fell.

Third-party origination operations are also going to Mr. Cooper in the $1.4 billion deal, in which the seller cited interest in improving its capital position.

The parent company of Flagstar Bank reported a net loss of $323 million for the second quarter after boosting loan-loss provisions and recording a steep increase in net charge-offs. Still, it says it's making progress on a turnaround plan, including by agreeing to the sale of its mortgage servicing business.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System also reportedly had disruptions.

Even though the 30-year fixed rate mortgage is at its lowest level since mid-March, consumers are being cautious in returning to the market, Freddie Mac said.

The final rule governing the use of automated valuation models for home assessments is substantially similar to the initial proposal made last June.

With Americans suffering from high housing costs and declining supply, we cannot afford to watch a massive government-sponsored enterprise sit on billions in retained earnings.