Origination

Stonegate Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has agreed to buy Florida Shores Bancorp in Pompano Beach.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.57% for the week ending Sept. 5, up from 4.51% the previous week.

Lenders continued to face challenges with loan growth in the second quarter as interest rates increased.

The Beige Book notes that the activity in residential real estate markets increased modestly during July and August.

State-chartered housing finance agencies have been adapting to the low interest rate environment by securitizing mortgages via Ginnie Mae and selling loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

With interest rates rising and refinances tanking, a lot of lenders are searching for a bigger share of the home purchase market.

Wholesaler 360 Mortgage is looking to expand its relationships with mortgage brokers beyond Home Affordable Refinance Program-related products.

I’m actually getting email from readers who agree with me that our industry really is like professional football.

The Mortgage Grapevine community has been asked if anyone has a prediction on when the subprime and/or alt-A lending markets will return.

Nearly half of the borrowers participating in an online National Foundation for Credit Counseling survey would rather talk to a qualified professional when facing financial distress.