Consumer lending

Randolph Savings Bank in Massachusetts has agreed to buy First Eastern Bankshares in Andover, Mass.

Wells Fargo has named Michael DeVito head of mortgage production, making him responsible for its retail and correspondent lending divisions.

After his son was born with a number of serious medical conditions, Atlantic Coast Mortgage's Thad Musser has made it a personal mission to show gratitude to the hospital responsible for his treatment. Little did he know these gestures would help him bond with customers who have faced similar experiences.

The resignation of Stonegate Mortgage founder and CEO Jim Cutillo will likely result in either the quick hiring of a replacement CEO to execute Stonegate's business plan or the company being acquired, according to analysts at FBR Capital Markets.

The mortgage industry typically takes a conservative approach to employees promoting their personal brands. But it's time for lenders to take a lesson from the presidential hopefuls who have gained an upper hand by playing up their individual brands.

Blackstone Group has acquired a majority stake in the parent company of nonbank mortgage lender Stearns Lending.

Mortgage Master's Stephen Campbell and his assistant have complementary styles and that enables them to develop unique solutions to meet client needs.

The $3.9 billion-asset Luther Burbank Savings has opened retail loan origination offices in several Southern California cities to produce more jumbo mortgages. It is one of several lenders in the region that think jumbo loans are worth the risks to achieve growth.

Melissa Cohn has opened MC Home Loans looking to recreate the success she had at Manhattan Mortgage.

Consumers' growing confidence about their ability to qualify for a mortgage is generating more foot traffic, sales orders and loan volume for some of the nation's largest homebuilders.

Austin First Mortgage uses a combination of internal and customer-facing marketing technologies to keep borrowers are engaged and informed throughout the loan process.

A New York law that was invalidated by a federal judge was one of many efforts by big cities to pressure banks into making more investments in local communities after the crisis. Some municipal laws could be more vulnerable to bankers' legal challenges than others.

Impac Mortgage Holdings reported an increase in second-quarter profit, citing higher gains on the sale of loans.

A federal judge has overturned a New York City law that would have required banks to make new disclosures regarding their investments in local communities.

Prospective borrowers for single-family homes will be required to make a minimum down payment of 15% of the purchase price, down from 20%. The borrower must have a minimum FICO score of 680, down from 740.

An Astoria Financial investor is demanding that the Lake Success, N.Y., company explore a possible sale or other ways to increase shareholder value.

Guaranteed Rate's Oren Orkin explains how helping real estate agents host their open houses has led to new referral relationships and increased mortgage business.

Guardian Mortgage has named a Bank of America executive to succeed Marcia Phillips as chief executive.

CIT Group has completed its acquisition of OneWest Bank in Pasadena, Calif.

Investors Bancorp reported higher second-quarter profit on expanded multifamily, commercial real estate and business lending, as well as lower expenses.