Organization Root Tag

The American consumer is "in good shape" and spending more this month than a year earlier, even amid inflation, jittery markets and international tensions, according to Bank of America Chief Executive Brian Moynihan.

Rising interest rates could force some community banks to fall below a critical capital threshold that the Federal Housing Finance Agency uses to determine eligibility for Home Loan bank advances.

Softening prices have yet to lead to a turnaround in purchase activity, even as the average loan size fell under $400,000.

Lenders pulled back on government-refinance programs and products for lower-credit score borrowers, pushing loan availability down for the seventh month in a row, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Dozens of community bankers and housing experts offered their opinions on the Federal Home Loan Bank System, the first review in nearly 100 years. But the insurers, nonbanks and megabanks that use the system the most were largely absent from the debate.

The Fed may be the big factor in the massive fluctuations seen daily in the TBA markets, but traders and credit analysts now also fear a new problem in the heretofore peaceful world of Ginnie Mae, writes the chairman of Whalen Global Advisors.

The settlement with an insurer over Countrywide's mortgage-backed securities closes another chapter on what quickly proved to be an ill-advised acquisition for Bank of America. A trial on the case had kicked off last month.

From new appraisal alternatives to the use of blockchain to protect HMDA data, speakers sought to ensure the regulator had a handle on innovations that touch the secondary mortgage markets.

Also, FHFA promotes two key staff members, Cenlar welcomes servicing veteran, while Remax and CMG Financial's joint venture names its president.

The September Federal Open Market Committee meeting may provide a turning point in monetary policy. Brendan Murphy, head of global fixed income, North America, at Insight Investment will offer his thoughts about the meeting and what to expect going forward.