Economy

In her first remarks since the release of a sweeping report on the banks, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson urges them to strengthen underwriting and communication with their members' regulators.

Residential starts increased 1.9% last month to a 1.37 million annualized rate, the highest in three months, government data showed Friday.

The market's reaction to the Consumer Price Index report on Tuesday helped to push the 10-year Treasury and 30-year fixed-rate loan lower, Freddie Mac said.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo gauge decreased six points to 34 this month, according to data out Thursday.

With a scarcity of listings driving high home prices, both repeat and new purchasers are putting the most money down in decades, the report found.

The agency is decreasing the dollar amount for the second consecutive year, maintaining the percentage quota for mission-related loans and adding a new exemption.

Between 2020 and 2022, both companies benefited from locked-down consumers that took on renovations.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson is pushing for a quick launch of pilot programs at the 11 Federal Home Loan banks to help underserved communities after its report this week prescribed major reforms to the system.

Broader economic factors, including growing household debt, are also likely to keep the housing market stagnant, Freddie Mac said.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency says it wants to more closely tether Federal Home Loan bank advances to housing and community development. Doing so will first involve clearly defining the banks' mission through regulation.