Origination

The guidance aims to protect Home Equity Conversion Mortgage borrowers from "presentations that appear to limit their options," the agency says.

The GSEs make mortgages? Banks don't? For an economics professor who has made the causes of the housing collapse a central campaign issue, David Brat sure doesn't sweat the details.

The Federal Housing Administration is on better financial footing thanks to an expected $418 million payment from SunTrust in a settlement resolving claims that the bank originated defective loans.

Student loan payments can be up to 20% of a graduate's current monthly debt obligations. Based on current housing ratios, that does not leave a lot of room for mortgage payments.

The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday continued to shrink its stimulus program by yet another $10 billion clip.

The HAWK program could help participating lenders differentiate themselves from the flock. But the proposed mortgage insurance premium discounts for borrowers who receive counseling are too modest, industry members say.

Easier credit comes with relief from charge-offs on old building loans.

Mortgage applications fell last week as rising borrowing costs led to less purchases and refinancing.

Several federal agencies and 49 state attorneys general struck a $968 million settlement Tuesday with SunTrust Mortgage over charges that it violated laws governing mortgage origination, servicing and foreclosures.

Julian Castro pledged to recapitalize the FHA insurance fund and work with Congress on GSE reform but equivocated when a Senator asked about cities condemning underwater mortgages.