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With the Fed continuing to run off its balance sheet, both in terms of securities investments and reverse repurchase agreements, demand for risk-free collateral is rising even as production volumes fall, writes Whalen.

A one-page outline of priorities for Trump's inauguration day obtained American Banker includes financial policy items, including firing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra, issuing a "reset" of that agency and designating crypto as a "national priority."

Impacted borrowers should anticipate some breaks from insurance coverage and home loan payments, but timelines and relief funds could vary significantly.

Mortgage applications for newly constructed homes continued to increase on a year-over-year basis, as existing home listings remain constrained.

Legal arguments in this case hinge on whether products offered by HEI platforms should fall under the Truth in Lending Act.

Organizations that represent Amazon, Apple, Meta, PayPal, OpenAI and many other large technology companies accuse the consumer watchdog, which has given itself authority over companies that facilitate at least 50 million consumer payment transactions per year, of regulatory overreach.

Industry leaders and mortgage trade groups expressed hope that Bill Pulte's nomination to head the agency could result in more housing supply.

Commoditization of mortgages, plus technology that eases the refinance process, and the regulatory environment, all contributed to the decision.

The Alabama-based regional bank reported stronger earnings on a bump in capital markets fee revenue and lower expenses, but its total loans declined and its charge-offs increased. It expects only modest loan growth this year.

The loss mitigation directives place limits on options and include a long ramp-up period that could accommodate future change from new leadership in Washington.

Equifax agreed to resolve allegations that it failed to conduct proper investigations of consumer disputes, ignored evidence and allowed previously deleted inaccuracies to be reinstated on credit reports. The credit reporting bureau also shared inaccurate credit scores and data about consumers with lenders.

An emphasis on camaraderie helps this team become more relationship-minded with each other, their clients and their community.

A gauge of the outlook for home purchases over the next six months dropped 6 points to 60, the first decline since June, according to the NAHB and Wells Fargo.

Single-family starts, which account for most new construction, climbed 3.3% to a 1.05 million annualized rate, also the strongest since February 2024.

The president-elect's Cabinet nominee, Scott Turner, committed his support for affordable housing but also said he would examine the effectiveness of all HUD programs.

Over 300 ex-Flagstar employees, initially acquired by Mr. Cooper, will transition to A&D Mortgage.

The agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission resolves allegations of employee supervision shortcomings in the bank's capital markets division.

Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's pick to serve as Treasury Secretary, handled a policy-heavy confirmation hearing with poise, highlighting his preference for relaxed bank regulation, support of the 2017 Trump tax cuts and a hawkish approach to spending.

The non-QM segment industry-wide had a 25% increase in issuance dollar volume during 2024 as market conditions for private-label securitization were better.