Origination

The Legg Mason unit plans to buy mortgages made to self-employed borrowers who may not have the documentation for qualified mortgages as well as interest-only loan.

Economic growth will rebound in the second quarter, averaging 3.1% over the next six quarters, but the housing market may not be as strong due to constraints on lending, according to bank economists.

Small lenders have slashed their payrolls by 9,000 workers this year.

The regulator wants to ensure the government-sponsored enterprises set guarantee fees at a level that turns a profit after covering the cost of capital, administrative expenses and expected credit losses.

New York's banking regulator said Thursday that he intends to simplify state requirements for obtaining a mortgage banking license.

Prosecutors have probable cause to present a grand jury with the felony case against the Federal Housing Finance Agency official accused of threatening to kill former director Edward DeMarco, a judge ruled.

Executives at private mortgage insurers expect the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to reduce some fees in the next year, which would make privately-insured GSE loans more competitive with government loans.

Builders have noticed some easing of mortgage credit standards recently, but not enough to make a meaningful difference on the housing recovery.

Mortgage rates in the U.S. rose, increasing home-loan costs for the first time in six weeks.

Lenders across the country reported increased demand from consumers and businesses, continuing a prevailing trend from earlier this year, according to the Fed’s Beige Book.