Mortgages

With its proposal to restrict disparate-impact claims, the Trump administration seems determined to solve a problem that does not exist.

The mortgage agencies would be privatized under Trump administration plan; central bank will probably cut rates by 25 bps, not 50 bps, at its next meeting.

The Treasury Department made clear in a much-anticipated report that it prefers Congress take up reform of the government-sponsored enterprises, but it also recommended steps that federal agencies could take without legislation.

The industry has taken some steps to lower barriers to affordable housing, but some observers say that more can be done.

The Trump administration is not backing down even after a federal court blocked guidance that would have limited the operations of national housing funds.

With officials putting finishing touches on presidentially directed reports on the future of the housing finance system, the Senate Banking Committee announced a hearing to examine the issue.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Directors Kathy Kraninger is under pressure to ask a federal judge to lift a stay that has kept the agency's short-term-lending rule from going into effect.

A year after the major credit bureaus agreed to strip tax liens and civil judgments from consumers' credit files, a new study says it is hampering lenders' credit decisions. But proponents of the move insist it was the right call.

Seeking to expand financial services access, tribal officials and some firms want regulators to award Community Reinvestment Act credit to any bank that funds projects in Native American communities.

Readers react to jilted GSE legacy shareholders and a proposal making it harder to cite disparate impact, criticize Democrats asking the CFPB to stop its payday rule revamp and more.

The mortgage industry will be looking for answers when Treasury and HUD unveil reports on housing finance reform, but the Trump administration’s plans could also raise a whole new host of questions.

New unit will work with foreign governments; standards too soft on those without conventional paychecks.

With long-term interest rates at historic lows, mortgage refinancing is coming on strong. But that additional revenue may not be enough to offset net interest margin pressures and lost servicing income.

The Treasury’s takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac left legacy shareholders holding the bag.

Though advocates and industry are rarely aligned, they are starting to coalesce around a plan that would call for the elimination of the CFPB’s 43% debt-to-income limit as part of its qualified mortgage rule.

On Mar. 31, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

On Mar. 31, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

The banks considered an “unusual” investment banking merger; Volcker rule win will be followed by fights on capital rules, liquidity and stress tests.

Revamping the doctrine of disparate impact doctrine, as HUD proposes, would gut fair housing enforcement.

The movement has suffered several black eyes during the last 18 months. We should be worried about long-term damage to our reputation.