FHA

Growth in loans with higher debt-to-income ratios is reviving focus on a regulatory exemption for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other federal agencies that back mortgages.

Mark Calabria, the chief economic adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said the administration is focused for now on more pressing issues than GSE reform, including addressing housing damage from recent hurricanes.

Millennials took advantage of lower interest rates in September to refinance their mortgages, according to Ellie Mae.

Mortgage rates rose to their highest level since July, leading to a 2.6% decrease in loan applications from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Canyon 2 wildfire has been contained for more than a week, but aftereffects from the 9,200-acre conflagration still are rippling throughout Orange County, Calif.

Brian Montgomery appears headed for easy confirmation for another stint as commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, despite objections by Sen. Elizabeth Warren that he is too close to the financial services industry.

Most secondary market outlets, along with the non-qualified mortgage lenders, remain reluctant to lend to legal cannabis workers because of the source and nature of their compensation, but opportunities are beginning to emerge.

Mortgage applications decreased 4.6% from one week earlier because of higher rates for conforming and government loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Federal Housing Administration has extended waivers on timelines for disaster-related re-inspections to properties in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria as well as other properties impacted by California wildfires.

Mortgage lenders are urging the thousands of displaced homeowners to reach out to them in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires so fire victims can begin the process of either rebuilding or moving on, leaving behind the home they once had.

Cannabis businesses are legal in 29 states, but compliance questions on the federal level are keeping mortgage lenders from making loans to the industry's workers.

For the past eight years, Brian Montgomery has helped mortgage lenders fight penalties sought by the Federal Housing Administration. Now he's President Trump's nominee to lead the agency.

Mortgage applications increased 3.6% from one week earlier even though rates remained mostly flat during the period, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

MGIC Investment Corp.'s third-quarter net income of $120 million was more than double the $56.6 million for the same period last year as its losses incurred fell by over 50%.

From debating the future compliance landscape to developing a digital mortgage strategy, here's a preview of the top issues, ideas and themes on tap when the industry convenes in Denver for the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo.

The District of Columbia transaction may have potential on a national level.

HUD Secretary Ben Carson said he's held off making any decision on premium cuts until the confirmation of key appointments. "It has been a real ordeal getting people in place," he said.

The share of mortgage refinance applications dropped below 50% for the first time since the start of September, as interest rates rose to a six-week high.

Slightly looser underwriting outside the government sector is primarily responsible for the latest increase in credit availability.

Lenders could be responsible for water quality issues affecting borrowers and properties if the Federal Housing Administration follows through with its response to an inspector general's report.