Origination

Wells Fargo engaged in an "extensive and pervasive pattern" of discriminatory and illegal lending practices for years, the OCC said in slashing a key rating of how the bank serves communities.

The industry expects to lean on technological efficiencies this year as higher rates and dwindling refinances test their businesses.

Fintech could cut the closing times on the simplest home loans by more than 50%, but the mortgage business' complexity means there are limits to how much time and money can be saved.

Affordability will be an issue in nearly half of all metropolitan areas as the home purchase season starts.

Home sales climbed 6% in the Capital Region in February after a lackluster January.

The average home price in the Cincinnati region climbed to $180,372 in February compared to $160,839 a year earlier, a 12.14% increase.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities climbed in the 12 months through January at the fastest pace since July 2014, while nationwide the increase in property values also accelerated.

Most tax lien and civil judgment data will be taken out of credit bureau files on July 1, possibly inflating scores and raising concerns about liability for mortgages that sour.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan said the central bank should roll off both mortgage-backed securities and Treasury holdings when it begins to let its balance sheet shrink.