Refinance

The percentage of refinance loans rose in September as interest rates dipped to a 2017 low, according to Ellie Mae.

Mortgage applications increased 3.6% from one week earlier even though rates remained mostly flat during the period, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Fannie Mae used last year's Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data to increase its origination projections for both 2017 and 2018 even as its overall economic outlook remained unchanged from September.

Ginnie Mae and the Department of Veterans Affairs have described in more detail the VA loan refinancing practices they will crack down on to eliminate a long-running churning concern.

The share of mortgage refinance applications dropped below 50% for the first time since the start of September, as interest rates rose to a six-week high.

Nondepository mortgage bankers and brokers increased their headcounts in August, but hurricane recovery efforts and other macro factors may stymie additional growth.

A decline in refinancing applications offset the gain in purchase activity, leading to an overall drop in application activity of 0.4% from one week earlier.

The share of purchase and refinance loans originated by nonbanks are at their highest point since at least 1995, according to an analysis of new Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

Bank of America is laying off an undisclosed number of technology and mortgage workers in Charlotte and elsewhere, the latest cuts this year to employees in such roles.

Mortgage application activity decreased 0.5% from one week earlier as a decline in refinance volume was only partially offset by an increase in purchases.