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The Trump-appointed head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Jelena McWilliams, said she plans to leave the agency in early February. The announcement comes weeks after Democratic appointees making up a majority of the board had threatened her leadership by acting on policy related to bank mergers without her consent.

Branches across the country have closed temporarily, or switched to drive-thru service, as infections and quarantine rules have forced many bank workers to stay home.

But low mortgage rates and higher wages are allowing borrowers to meet conforming loan underwriting terms — at least for now.

Also: The MBA gets two new vice presidents, Sagent adds a sales veteran and the Amherst Group hires an MBS portfolio manager.

The 30-year average climbed six basis points after falling to a monthly low a week earlier.

Biden administration appointees moved quickly to highlight climate change risks and unwind Trump-era regulatory relief and housing finance measures. These regulators and lawmakers will have a seat at the table as the progressive shift in banking policy continues.

Borrowers accepting federal loan modifications saw payments on principal and interest reduced between 27% and 33%, according to estimates by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

When finalized, the sections to the Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 will replace some 150 Mortgage Letters issued over the years.

About 40% of likely purchasers are delaying or cancelling their activity, a Redfin survey found.

The National Association of Realtors’ index of pending home sales decreased 2.2% from a month earlier to 122.4, according to data released Wednesday.