Mortgages

Readers react to the CFPB’s final arbitration rule, a new potential hurdle for initial coin offerings, a housing finance reform proposal and more.

Credit union mortgage lending may be slowing, even as more millennials -- about 33% of whom purchased their first home out of the desire to have a better space or yard for a dog -- enter the market.

Valley National's latest acquisition would make it a much bigger player in Florida and provide a platform to write more auto loans. Both markets present attractive returns but high risks.

The U.S. population is aging, and one of the well-established components of the American dream — buying and owning a home — appears poised to aid in the baby boomers next phase of life.

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group has agreed to buy a majority stake in Virginia Community Bank in a rare instance of a nondepository mortgage company buying a bank, rather than the reverse.

The Westbury, N.Y., company reported a 15% drop in earnings despite recording a large gain on the sale of some securities.

The Salt Lake City company also benefited from increases in investment securities and several large loan recoveries during the quarter.

As real estate loans continue to be a key product, CUs are investing in personnel focused on these offerings.

The Michigan company had fewer gains from loan sales. It also reported an increase in noninterest expenses.

Policymakers should differentiate between housing finance-related issues of real importance to the greater public interest, and those that concern only special interests.

While Freddie Mac is moving cautiously into buying manufactured housing loans not secured by land, Fannie Mae is moving more aggressively. Industry representatives are divided on which approach is superior.

More and more FIs are adding videoconferencing at branches, but consumers might prefer to video-chat from their phones. Unlike with mobile banking, shirts and pants will likely be required.

Banks are adding videoconferencing at branches, but consumers might prefer to video-chat from their phones. Unlike with mobile banking, shirts and pants will likely be required.

Double-digit growth in loan volume offset a decline in fee income at the Honolulu company.

It’s a very large number for any bank, but Bank of America executives said the move makes good economic sense and promotes relationship-building with customers.

Auto risks mounting. Mortgage market tightening. Are there any good risks these days in consumer lending? Regional bank executives insist partnerships with online lenders, unsecured personal loans and other niche efforts can work if done properly.

From the small lender’s perspective, most of the various GSE reform proposals that have been offered are designed to advance the interests of the big banks.

The California lender, which specializes in trade finance, reported strong growth in commercial and other lending categories last quarter, and it urged the Trump administration to seek fair trade deals with China.

The discounts that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac used to offer large originators for selling them bulk bundles of mortgages continue to haunt small lenders, who worry a new housing finance system could revive the practice.

Declines in commercial products and mortgage banking fees at the Minneapolis company offset some of the benefits of higher interest rates.