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The increase in borrower activity came as housing starts ended 2025 on a high note, while mortgage rates were a percentage point lower year-over-year.

While the Freddie Mac survey recorded a weekly decline, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield had moved back up by 6 basis points around midday on Thursday.

Loans will continue to be originated and closed in the name of Firstrust Bank but the MortgageCountry will oversee lending end-to-end and provide its leadership.

Falling rates spurred a refi surge that pushed defect rates to 1.79% in Q3, driven by income and compliance documentation gaps as lenders ran lean, per Aces Quality Management.

Banks and credit unions are pairing AI-driven efficiency with stable staffing and cross-training to scale mortgage production as originations rebound and technology expands capacity.

Toll Brothers Inc. fell short of analysts' estimates for quarterly orders, signaling that fewer people are signing contracts to build homes as high prices and economic uncertainty hold some buyers back.

Company veteran Austin Niemiec is running the wholesale arm after the departures of Fawaz, a prominent broker advocate, and general manager Dan Sogorka.

An index of market conditions from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, in which below 50 means more builders see conditions as poor than good, edged down in February to 36, the lowest level since September.

Some vendors' voice agents have quoted "outrageously low" interest rates to consumers, among other potential violations, according to one expert.

Hundreds of E Mortgage Capital employees, including loan officers, can opt-in to the complaint accusing the company of failing to pay them for overtime.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09% Thursday, down two basis points from last week, while the 15-year rate fell to 5.44%, according to Freddie Mac.

More than half of respondents in a National Mortgage News survey predict AI-backed underwriting will fundamentally change mortgage processes in 2026.

Sean Snaith, Director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the University of Central Florida, will provide insight into the FOMC meeting.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte said in a social media post that action was imminent amid Trump administration antitrust investigations.

The homebuilder and lender DHI Mortgage, in responding to a RICO suit, say they clearly informed buyers of potential property tax hikes on their newly built homes.

As mortgage rates sank to near 6% in January, consumers looked to do rate-and-term refinances, while originators offered more ARMs and cash-out loans.

American Banker's 2026 Predictions report finds that nonbank entities and check fraud are major threats to local banks in the coming months.

Mortgage rates edged higher after the Fed held rates steady, with markets weighing political shifts, Treasury moves and mixed signals on where borrowing costs head next.

Looking to build on last year's live sing-along, Lady Gaga will be performing the theme to Mister Rogers Neighborhood in a campaign from Rocket and Redfin.

More mortgage professionals told National Mortgage News they expect their companies to hire, or stand pat, rather than fire workers this year.