Freddie Mac

The Financial Stability Oversight Council said the mortgage giants may need a bigger capital cushion than their regulator has proposed, but stopped short of designating them as “systemically important financial institutions.”

Mortgage rates experienced a marginal uptick this week, rising three basis points. But they remained near record lows and possibly soon could track down again, according to Freddie Mac.

Remote, homeowner-assisted appraisals used amid the coronavirus could be a useful tool post-pandemic, in limited circumstances.

Mortgage rates remained relatively flat, rising a single basis point off of last week's record low, according to Freddie Mac.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been slammed for planning an additional refinancing charge to cover COVID-related losses, but the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency defended the policy in House testimony.

The government-sponsored enterprise’s seller/servicer guide is now integrated into the online portal. Freddie also improved the readability of loan-level reporting it provides, and has further changes in the works.

After flattening over the three prior weeks, the number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance dove at a rate not seen since early August, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage rates fell 7 basis points this week to yet another record low in the 49-year history of the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, as stock market indicators sank during the period.

"The current economic crisis continues to disproportionately impact borrowers with FHA and VA loans," said Mike Fratantoni, the MBA's senior vice president and chief economist.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency's proposal could undermine the companies’ mission to support the housing market and penalize consumers in underserved communities, industry and consumer groups say.

Mortgage rates remained relatively flat this week, as yields for the benchmark 10-year Treasury spiked at the start of the period before dropping, according to Freddie Mac.

The agency’s plan to extend the "qualified mortgage" stamp of approval to more loans could help lenders that rely on alternative data and cushion the blow of other QM changes for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The pandemic drives home the point that without those funds being siphoned off, the recent fee hikes would not be necessary.

For the first time since June 7, the number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance didn't decrease from the week before, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Arch's second CRT transaction this year to obtain indemnity reinsurance for mortgage-insurance premiums comes at a time it is also experiencing rising 60-plus-day delinquencies on its outstanding securitized pools.

Also: NMN analyzes political donations from the industry, foreclosure and eviction ban extended to year's end.

Refinancing has been one of the bright spots in a difficult year for lending, and the industry has concerns that a fee to be imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could slow down the business.

As the end of the first six-month forbearance period arrives, the impact of the new cap is coming into focus.

Mortgage rates decreased by 8 basis points this week, remaining near record lows, while a strong purchase market should continue into the fall, according to Freddie Mac.

Both the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Federal Housing Administration are extending relief for homeowners and renters due to the pandemic crisis.