Origination

Housing markets are steadily improving nationwide, according to the latest Freddie Mac's Multi-Indicator Market Index.

Demand for home purchases rose in June although more slowly than in previous months, the online real estate brokerage Redfin said. The firm also projected a slowdown in the rise of home values.

The U.S. economy was stronger than expected, according to Fannie Mae's analysis of this year's second quarter.

Astoria Financial in Lake Success, N.Y., reported a 40% increase in second-quarter earnings as stronger fee income from mortgages helped it overcome a considerable shrinkage in loans.

Mortgage professional hiring and new job appointments for the week ending July 24.

Purchases of new homes unexpectedly retreated in June and prior readings were revised down, painting a picture of less robust improvement during the industry's busiest time of year.

Ares Management LP and Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP are merging to create Ares Kayne Management LP, an alternative investment group whose $113 billion in assets will rank it among the world's biggest private equity firms. Ares Management's real estate group provides debt and equity financing for commercial properties.

One of the biggest U.S. mortgage lenders is looking to disrupt the disruptors in the market for peer-to-peer loans.

F.N.B. in Pittsburgh reported higher second-quarter profit as it booked more commercial real estate and business loans.

National Penn Bancshares in Allentown, Pa., said its second-quarter profit improved as increased real estate lending offset higher expenses.