Farm and rural mortgages

Freddie Mac is expanding its Home Possible loan program to allow borrowers in rural locations to use "sweat equity" for down payments and closing expenses.

Bankers complain that the quasi-governmental system's new program designed to make more residential loans in four states goes well beyond its original mission.

The dominant player in manufactured housing lauded the Trump administration's review of construction standards, but other commenters worry the plan will undermine housing quality.

The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. reported significant gains in new business volume, but also realized a big jump in 90-day delinquencies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service is piloting a new construction-to-permanent loan program after a previous venture in 2016 to spur construction lending in rural areas failed to attract many participants.

Housing finance reform proposals could make it challenging for community banks and credit unions to serve rural mortgage markets, according to a report issued Wednesday by Brookings and the Center for Responsible Lending.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency's Duty to Serve program must increase manufactured housing lending in rural communities.

Farmer Mac's second-quarter net earnings increased 46% year-over-year, driven by a boost in net interest income that was enhanced by its growing loan and securities portfolio.

New home purchase loan application activity reached its highest point in March as builders looked to fill the growing demand for housing.

The lender relationships resulted from a partnership the government-sponsored enterprise entered into with a non-profit housing group.

Refinance applications reached their lowest share in more than seven years even as mortgage rates fell last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage applications decreased 2.7% from one week earlier after the Fed announced a rate hike, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage applications increased 3.1% from one week earlier even as rates reached their highest level in three years, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Application activity increased 3.3% from one week earlier, even though mortgage interest rates rose on speculation the Federal Open Market Committee could act in March.

Mortgage application activity increased by 5.8% during the week of Feb. 24.