The VA

Rising rates, largely tied to the stock market turmoil, took their toll on mortgage application volume during the past week.

Even as rates hit their highest levels in nearly four years, mortgage application volume increased compared with one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Rising rates suppressed total mortgage application activity, which decreased 2.6% from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Purchase loan applications were at their highest level in nearly eight years because of rising interest rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Weak profits and the threat of false claims charges are keeping banks out of the market for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Here's a look at what happens at five federal agencies that support the mortgage industry during a government shutdown.

Even as mortgage rates rose to their highest level since March, application activity increased from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Loan applications for newly constructed homes slowed on a month-to-month basis in December as the storm-driven spike in volume ended.

Mortgage application volume started the year on the upswing because of higher refinance activity, even with a slight increase in rates.

There were fewer mortgage programs available to borrowers at the lower end of the credit spectrum in December, resulting in an overall decrease in credit availability.