Compliance

Market participants are encouraged by the FHFA's move to ease repurchase requirements — which will likely result in a continued domination of the market by government agencies.

Mortgage companies must properly vet their third-party vendors to ensure that there is no litigation, fraud allegations, or other risky behavior that might create risk for them.

Federal bank regulators increased the asset-size thresholds for the definition of a "small bank" and "intermediate small bank" for certain bank exams on Friday.

Federal bank regulators increased the asset-size thresholds for the definition of a "small bank" and "intermediate small bank" for certain bank exams on Friday.

Despite looser credit consumer demand has been on the decline, according to Fannie Mae's fourth-quarter Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey.

The Senate approved a bill late Tuesday that would retroactively extend over 50 expiring tax provisions for one years, including one that shields distressed homeowners from paying taxes on any mortgage debt forgiven in a short sale.

WASHINGTON — More than two dozen Senate lawmakers signed a letter this week that urges the Federal Housing Finance Agency to drop its proposal to tighten Federal Home Loan Bank membership rules.

Ocwen Financial came under fire from Joseph A. Smith, the monitor of the national mortgage settlement, after concerns of conflicts of interest were raised by an unnamed whistleblower.

If the Securities and Exchange Commission bans Standard & Poor's from rating commercial mortgage-backed securities, as it is reportedly planning to, bonds backed by a single, large asset would be hit disproportionately, according to JPMorgan.

Mortgage fraud remains a national problem as loan applications have seen misrepresentations increase on an annual basis for three consecutive years, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

Lenders concerned about maintaining vendor oversight compliance may require title insurance and settlement firms to adopt the American Land Title Association's quality standards, even though the industry guidelines are only voluntary.

A recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board, drastically changes the rights of employees using company email and requires players to review and revise electronic communications policies.

While evolving market conditions have made retaining servicing rights more attractive to independent mortgage bankers, making the right choice between an in-house operation or engaging with a subservicer is critical to the new business line's success.

The Steve Fraser Visionary Award is a lifetime achievement award that honors the accomplishments of an outstanding mortgage technology innovator, visionary or evangelizer. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

The spending package unveiled Tuesday would end Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees on larger loans starting Jan. 1.

Funding for housing counseling represents a minuscule fraction of total spending on housing-related initiatives. Still, some question whether taxpayers are getting the best bang for their buck.

With some proposals still outstanding, mortgage bond market participants are concerned that eminent domain attempts would spread if a municipality makes inroads with a proposal.

Generally, advertising cost should be split pro rata based upon the amount of advertising space each party uses under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, but more complicated issues arise.

The State Regulatory Registry, which runs the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, says that mortgage loan originator and company renewals for 2015 are off to a strong start.

From Biblical times to the present, fraud has been the key factor in all financial crises. But there is one financial instrument that, if used correctly, can bring equilibrium to fraud-impacted markets.