Origination

Homeowners won't trade in their cheap mortgages so lenders keep finding other ways to reach that equity. Bond buyers keep showing up.

Contract closings decreased 1.7% in July to an annualized rate of 4.06 million, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Tuesday.

Some equity and credit agency researchers have lowered their sights in line with market changes, but their forecasts suggest stability for those that pivot.

The new record arrives after five months of annual home-price growth, which surged to its highest in more than a year, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.

The average down payment across the list was 17.1%, well above 13.1% nationally, and the median credit score was 766, compared with 747 countrywide.

The markets mostly believe the jobs report put the damper on a September hike, but some still think the Federal Open Market Committee is likely to raise first.

In American Banker's ranking of banks with the strongest metrics, here is this year's list in the $10-$50 billion range, based on data from Capital Performance Group.

The sides didn't suggest a deal was imminent, but indicated their willingness to wrap up the lingering Biden-era complaint involving a Black homeowner.

Even with the positive news when it came to income, two of the big four underwriters had their earnings outlook slashed, while a third received an upgrade.

An acquisition this year could be one in a line of other future deals, potentially involving lenders or commercial real estate firms, Ellington executives said.