Freddie Mac

The government-sponsored enterprise improved slightly upon the previous quarter's numbers, but contraction in lending remains a risk.

Mixed economic signals left mortgage rates flat over the past seven days, with experts suggesting the end of Federal Reserve policy hikes might be coming as well.

With few clues coming from Federal Reserve officials about their next moves, the 30-year average dropped for a fourth straight week, according to Freddie Mac's latest survey.

Persistent inflation concerns drove the 30-year average up 41 basis points this month.

The 30-year fixed rate surged 15 basis points from a week earlier but ends 2022 at more than twice its mark from a year ago.

Allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy these loans encourages consumers to purchase more expensive homes, the group said.

Scores will be assigned to all loan pools created since 2010, including future securitizations, and are expected to help investors determine the share of mortgages meeting specific characteristics.

Also, LoanLogics sees changes at the top, the Mortgage Bankers Association promotes three and Synergy One, Falcon Capital name general counsels.

Fannie Mae announced a pilot rollout of a new special-purpose credit program, while Freddie Mac said it is expediting review of similar new programs from lenders during the Mortgage Bankers Association conference this week.

Both the 30- and 15-year averages are now more than 3 percentage points higher from their levels of one year ago.