Origination

Though the pandemic recession has driven up the delinquency rate on Federal Housing Administration loans, the president's appointees are widely expected to reduce mortgage insurance premiums by at least 25 basis points to make home loans less expensive.

Dave Uejio, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, promised to protect veterans from predatory loans and to crack down on companies that improperly garnish stimulus checks or mistreat struggling borrowers.

Come away better prepared for what’s ahead after hearing Satish Kini and David Sewell of Debevoise & Plimpton and Darin Jarrett, Deputy BSA/AML Officer at American Express, in conversation with Bonnie McGeer, Executive Editor of American Banker, as they explore: •How the new administration might change the BSA/AML Act •Are there easy wins in relieving the burden of suspicious activity reports without undermining effectiveness? •New ways that companies are innovating within AML compliance and risk •What banks are doing to drive next-gen efficiency and effectiveness of risk and compliance

U.S. new-home sales rose in December for the first time in five months, capping the best year since 2006 and signaling that record-low mortgage rates continue to drive demand for a sector that’s been a bright spot in the economy.

As home prices surged in 2020 due to shrinking inventory and raging demand, sellers received the highest returns on investment since at least 2005, according to Attom Data Solutions.

Investors were also reacting to the inauguration of Joe Biden and uncertainty over additional fiscal relief, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist Sam Khater said.

The Long Island resort towns saw 803 completed deals in the fourth quarter, the most for any three-month period in data going back to early 2005.

The yet-to-be-named platform is acquiring the assets and liabilities of Barings Multifamily Capital LLC, pending approvals from federal government-sponsored enterprises.

The company is exploring a range of options to diversify its balance sheet, but new CEO Thomas Cangemi says the best plan of attack is to merge with or acquire another institution.

While financing costs are still low enough to offset sticker-shock from rising home prices, a slight increase in the average 30-year conforming rate weighed on borrowers, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.