Commercial banking

Monetary policy is on track to loosen later rather than sooner. Housing finance firms may look more to home equity until or unless a change revives activity.

The comment period for the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing interim final rule has been extended, but consumer advocates are clear in their opposition.

Bill Pulte once again claimed he's signed over 50 directives at the housing regulator, although he's only made some of those that affect lenders public.

As Chief AI and Digital Officer at SLK Software, Chandrashekar Surbhat leads the company's digital and AI led transformation strategy, focusing on delivering business outcomes. Chandra is focused on building IP/platforms, strategic partnerships with niche vendors to co-create value for customers and has successfully managed billion-dollar P&L businesses, turned around underperforming units and unlocked efficiencies. His leadership has been instrumental in driving organizational transformations and aligning business strategies with emerging technologies like AI, cloud and digital experience. Chandra holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Bangalore University and Program Management, General Management, and Marketing certification from IIM Bangalore.

Neil Keenan is a partner at the Forensic Risk Alliance based in the firm's Washington, D.C., office and serves as co-lead of FRA's investigations practice. He specializes in the delivery of forensic accounting services, including investigations in a number of areas that include corruption, accounting fraud, asset misappropriation and embezzlement.

An index of applications for home purchases jumped 11.1%, the most since January, while a gauge of refinancing increased at a similar rate, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday.

Much of the increase came from the wholesale channel, where margins were thinner, leaving them flat on for the origination unit on a sequential quarter basis.

The Irvine, California-based firm had a net loss of $40.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, a rebound from a net loss of $67.5 million in the previous period.

Loan providers saw more frequent use of verification tools as well as shortened turnaround times from preapproval to application submission, Lenderlogix said.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte has prioritized targeting fraud, including proposing a tougher Suspended Counterparty Program and debuting a mortgage fraud tip line.

The loan originators who kept deals flowing last year reveal the secrets to their success

Mortgage bankers have been supporting recent updates to the legislative proposal while urging legislators to fast-track it given the phaseout of VASP.

The builder reported increased revenue from a year ago, with profits near par, as it sets to absorb new acquisitions across different lines of business.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects negotiations with trading partners over tariffs to conclude by the end of the year but acknowledged that talks with China had not yet begun.

United Wholesale Mortgage originated $32.4 billion, up 17% year-over-year and its best first quarter since 2022, helped by refinance volume of $10.6 billion.

In a party-line vote, the committee sent the nomination of Michelle Bowman as the Federal Reserve's vice chair of supervision to the full Senate.

Mortgage delinquencies were up in March, according to data from Intercontinental Exchange.

Rey Ramirez is cofounder at Thrive HR Consulting, a minority-owned HR advisory that provides value-based HR support for mergers and acquisitions, C-Suite executive coaching, employee relations, DEI and belonging, performance management, employee engagement, and talent acquisition.

As the lock-in effect deters many current homeowners from buying, the housing market is seeing younger clients stepping in, often with government-backed loans.