A bankruptcy filing by Countrywide Financial Corp., Calabasas, Calif., would cause a "psychological impact to the world financial markets [that] would be significant," says National Association of Mortgage Brokers legislative chairman Joe Falk.Speaking at a news conference held by the California Association of Mortgage Brokers at its annual convention in Long Beach, Calif., Mr. Falk maintained that, given Countrywide's market share, there would be a short-term disruption to the marketplace until others picked up the slack. (The issue arose after a Merrill Lynch analyst told clients that if enough financial pressure were placed on Countrywide, it might file for bankruptcy protection.) Ed Smith, the CAMB's vice president of government affairs, added that the failure of any company, not just Countrywide, would put more homeowners in peril and take away their options. CAMB past president John Marcell noted that Countrywide's correspondent channel is the secondary-market outlet for a large number of small and midsize mortgage banks, arguing that if that channel went away it could have a domino effect.
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A federal judge in Texas dismissed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's medical debt rule and prohibited states from passing their own laws prohibiting medical debt on credit reports.
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Dr. Mark Calabria takes on the additional role of chief statistician of the United States; retired Ally Bank executive Diane Morais has joined First Citizens Bancshares' board of directors; MainStreet Bank has promoted Alex Vari to chief financial officer; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
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While refinances are behind the latest increases, the pace of purchase activity may be a stronger indicator of where the housing market sits.
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The share of economists expecting a September rate reduction grew in the July Wolters Kluwer survey, but the October or later percentage also increased.
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Rising home prices and softening sales offer a mixed view of a market that some say is shifting to favor buyers.
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The notes are backed by home improvement installment loans originated by approved dealers in Foundation Finance Company's network.
July 11