Banks and thrifts added $121 billion in mortgage-backed securities to their portfolios in the first quarter as their combined MBS investments topped $1 trillion for the first time, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.The FDIC quarterly report on bank and thrift performance also shows that assets rose by 3.3%, but 71% of that growth represented mortgage loans, MBS, and home equity lines of credit. Over the past four quarters ended March 31, HELOCs have grown by $100 billion to $376.6 billion -- a 36.4% increase, according to FDIC data. Separately, the Office of Thrift Supervision reported that thrifts increased their MBS holdings by only $5.9 billion in the first quarter, to $97.1 billion. So it appears that commercial banks are the main buyers of MBS. At deadline time, the FDIC had not released separate data on commercial banks, only aggregate data for banks and thrifts.
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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.
6h ago -
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.
9h ago -
While refinances are behind the latest increases, the pace of purchase activity may be a stronger indicator of where the housing market sits.
11h ago -
The share of economists expecting a September rate reduction grew in the July Wolters Kluwer survey, but the October or later percentage also increased.
11h ago -
Rising home prices and softening sales offer a mixed view of a market that some say is shifting to favor buyers.
July 11 -
The notes are backed by home improvement installment loans originated by approved dealers in Foundation Finance Company's network.
July 11