The Eleventh Federal Home Loan District Cost of Funds Index is poised to break the 3% barrier, a level it has not exceeded since December 2001.According to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, the index for September stood at 2.972%, up 10 basis points from August's 2.870. Given that the Federal Reserve Board is likely to continue its pattern of 25-basis-point hikes in the federal funds rate, it is likely that COFI will continue to rise and surge over the 3% level. COFI is a weighted average of the cost of the money that thrifts in California, Arizona, and Nevada use to originate mortgage loans. COFI stood at 3.074% for December 2001, during a period of rapid declines in the index.
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After home equity surged in 2023, average gains slowed last year before falling into negative territory over the past 12 months, Cotality said.
December 12 -
For 2026, the mortgage industry operating environment will improve, while nonbank financial metrics should be within Fitch's rating criteria sensitivities.
December 12 -
Rohit Chopra is named senior advisor to the Democratic Attorneys General Association's working group on consumer protection and affordability; Flagstar Bank adds additional wealth-planning capabilities to its private banking division; Chime promotes three members of its executive leadership team; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
December 12 -
The executive order described state legislation on artificial intelligence as a cumbersome patchwork, and pledged to develop a national framework.
December 12 -
The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the FHA-insured loan caps for low- and high-cost areas, which are set based on conforming loan limits.
December 12 -
Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Schmid and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said in statements Friday that their dissents from this week's interest rate decision were spurred by inflation concerns and a lack of sufficient economic data.
December 12





