Origination

Mortgage rates fell to a new low for the year this week, but are 38 basis points higher than they were one year ago, according to Freddie Mac.

An unexpected decline in July contract signings for the purchase of previously owned homes shows the continuing impact of limited supply on the real estate market.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray said his possible political ambitions did not affect the small-dollar rule, while declining to spell out if he was running for office.

As Republicans policymakers pursue efforts to revamp the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and replace its leadership, state agencies are already preparing to fill any vacuum that might ensue if the CFPB steps back.

The volume of homes sold to first-time buyers during the second quarter reached a high not seen since 1999 and accounted for more than half of purchase mortgage originations.

Home sales in Ventura County and throughout Southern California fell sharply from June to July, according to a report released by CoreLogic.

Contributing to the high losses is the fact that Texas, despite being one of the states most vulnerable to storms, has one of the most relaxed approaches to building codes, inspections and other protections.

Mortgage applications decreased 2.3% from one week ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Seattle-area home market keeps picking up steam, with prices rising faster than anywhere else in the country for the 10th straight month.

Millennial credit scores are lower than when Generation X consumers were coming of age, reflecting changes in credit consumption and other consumer behaviors.