Economy

Regulators recently penalized a mortgage firm for keeping a file of licensing-test questions to prep exam takers, the first public challenge to what is believed to be a hushed, but longtime, industry practice.

Bill Emerson, chief executive of Quicken Loans, said at a recent conference that the threat of government probes and a lack of regulatory clarity are making FHA lending less attractive.

Purchases of new homes slumped more than forecast in March from a seven-year high, a sign progress in the industry will be halting.

Mortgage brokers lead all other lenders when it comes to being real estate agents' preferred partners, according to the results of a survey from real estate information firm Inman.

Freddie Mac's latest sale of risk-sharing bonds, its biggest yet, was structured in a way that will help reduce the earnings volatility that's added to concerns that the mortgage giant may again need to tap taxpayer funds.

As banks have largely ceded the market for government-backed loans to nonbank lenders and servicers, it's fallen on Ginnie Mae to be sure that these nonbanks can meet their obligations to bondholders. It's a huge concern for President Ted Tozer, who says the company does not have the resources or manpower to examine these firms' finances.

We're counting down this year's Top Producers. Check out which loan officers made the cut in the latest segment of the list!

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt just made one of the biggest policy decisions of his 14-month tenure — but so far it has hardly caused a ripple on Capitol Hill.

Sales of previously owned homes climbed in March to the highest level since September 2013 as job growth and cheap borrowing costs helped sustain the progress in residential real estate.

Some mortgage-bond investors are criticizing a change in Freddie Mac debt that increases the risk of loss from homeowners who can't afford their loans.

The largest single-family home landlords plan to raise their rents as much as 5.7% this year as they shift focus from buying properties to boosting their bottom lines.

Rep. Patrick McHenry said Democrats' resistance to passing certain regulatory relief measures is due to a leftward shift.

We're counting down this year's Top Producers. Check out which loan officers made the cut in the latest segment of the list!

The message being telegraphed is consistent: lenders have been on notice to upgrade compliance and strict adherence is now expected.

Real estate agents' satisfaction with lenders and the underwriting process is rising as distressed home sales decrease, according to the latest survey from the California Association of Realtors.

We're counting down this year's Top Producers. Check out which loan officers made the cut in the latest segment of the list!

Radian Group Inc. and MGIC Investment Corp. surged in New York trading after a U.S. regulator softened mortgage insurers' standards on some loans.

The final rule outlining new criteria for private mortgage insurers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans lacks a key feature that industry participants had sought: the ability to count future insurance premiums towards capital reserves.

Consumers may see little change in the ultimate cost of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans despite a restructuring of certain loan fees announced Friday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The residential real estate market remained healthy in February as home prices climbed and completed foreclosures fell year-over-year, mortgage technology firm FNC reported.