Banking

The chance to earn higher compensation and the ability to offer more mortgage products is causing a growing number of loan officers to go out on their own.

Ahead of the August deadline for lenders to provide new Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a new mortgage shopping toolkit Tuesday.

United Community Banks took hefty hits during the financial crisis due to its focus on real estate lending. Today, the Georgia company is diversifying by building teams dedicated to SBA lending and making other specialty loans.

Higher credit enhancement did not necessarily pay off for Wells Fargo in its latest commercial mortgage securitization.

Fountainhead Commercial Capital has created a program designed to allow banks and credit unions to outsource Small Business Administration 504 loans.

Farm banks have enjoyed several years of robust loan volume, but declining farm income has them on guard for increases in delinquencies and more eager to use government-guarantee programs.

Mortgage application volume elevated in the week ending March 20 as interest rates reached lows not seen since the beginning of the year.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, announced a vote for Thursday of 11 bills aimed at lessening regulatory burden on banks by changing aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act and associated regulations.

Bank of New York Mellon is building out a new investment firm with the mortgage specialist Amherst Holdings. The move is its second major commitment to a fixed income-related fund this year.

The agency's interpretation of a Respa rule could put an end to the long-standing practice of mortgage lenders paying real estate agents and homebuilders to send business their way.

If successful, Provident Bank in Massachusetts and Cincinnati Federal in Ohio would become the first new mutual holding companies since 2011, giving some hope that the structure could make a comeback.

Rather than just focusing on the deals that are in front of you, take time each day to work on business you want in six to 12 months.

The amount of commercial and multifamily mortgage debt outstanding grew during the fourth quarter at the highest rate seen since 2007, surpassing the record high posted in the previous quarter, according to figures released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Fortress Investment Group plans to cash out its entire stake in commercial mortgage banker Walker & Dunlop.

Lending groups are demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau take down its mortgage rate calculator, arguing it is providing misleading information to consumers.

The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp.'s earnings fell in the fourth quarter to $8.9 million, down from $13.4 million during the same period in 2013.

A recent Supreme Court decision means that one exemption to the Fair Labor Standards Act does not apply to mortgage salespeople, but their employers might still be able to take advantage of other exemptions.

Origination News and National Mortgage News are pleased to begin accepting submissions for the 2015 Top Producers, an annual ranking of mortgage loan officer and broker origination volume.

The Federal Reserve will not raise rates in June, while mortgage rates could fall this year as the dollar gets stronger and oil prices remain low, mortgage industry consultant Barry Habib said at a mortgage conference.

Bondholders in CMBS with exposure to Macerich Co. would be wise to watch how Simon Property Group's $22.4 billion bid for the mall operator unfolds.