Economy

Increased fixed costs and poor business intelligence are hurting independent mortgage bankers' bottom lines.

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.

Profits from originating mortgages dipped during the third quarter, with independent mortgage banks and mortgage subsidiaries of banks reporting an average gain of $897, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Principal reductions for underwater borrowers would cost approximately $89 billion, according to Black Knight.

Mortgage rates for 30-year loans fell for a fourth week, reducing borrowing costs to the lowest level in a year and a half.

One in five U.S. housing markets are now less affordable than their historic average as price gains outpace income growth from New York to San Francisco.

The Federal Housing Finance Administration has advised private mortgage insurers that it will delay the release of revised capital standards.

Here is a checklist of important items in order to get a report approved in record time.

Interest rates for conforming mortgages have fallen to their lowest level in over a year and a half, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Home prices rose 6.1% in October from a year earlier, representing 32 consecutive months of appreciation, according to CoreLogic.

Nonbank mortgage servicers are already in the crosshairs of regulators. Now they will face even more scrutiny from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Delinquency rates for commercial and multifamily mortgages declined in the third quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Despite the opinions of many that low-down-payment mortgages didn't cause the housing crisis, the fact is that these types of loans did contribute mightily to the bubble that burst.

The Synergy Award commends technology initiatives and alliances that encourage the integration of software and processes to promote automation, efficiency and broad mortgage industry use. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Freddie Mac announced its first K-deal that includes a manufactured housing community loan.

Freddie Mac said that rates for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages dropped this week to 3.97%.

Mortgage applications decreased last week as both refinance and purchase activity fell.

Having fought many battles with Congress over curbs to bond and other programs that affect affordable housing, John Murphy expects the challenges will continue as he retires from the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies after 30 years as its executive director.

A final judgment against Bank of America in a mortgage-bond lawsuit by the Securities and Exchange Commission was signed by a federal judge, helping clear the way for the lender to complete a $16.7 billion global settlement of claims it misled investors about risk.

New homes sold at a slower pace than forecast in October as builders focused on meeting demand at the upper end of the market.