Housing

Lenders are originating more mortgages for subprime borrowers, according to Equifax.

TFS Financial in Cleveland reported a higher fourth-quarter profit, citing a $1 million negative loan-loss provision.

Radian Group reported net income of $287 million, compared with $960 million for 2014, but that year's results were boosted by a tax allowance reversal.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rose less than forecast in December, indicating more tempered progress in residential real estate early this year.

The number of U.S. mortgages that were underwater continued to improve in the fourth quarter, although there are still millions of properties in the category, according to RealtyTrac.

The U.S. housing market continued to improve in November, as some local economies continued to bounce back from the recession, according to Freddie Mac.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is reducing the mortgage insurance premiums it charges on Federal Housing Administration multifamily loans to encourage the renovation of affordable housing units and promote energy-efficient upgrades.

Interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages dropped again this week as the Fed decided to hang tight on interest rates, according to Freddie Mac.

The homeownership rate in the U.S. rose for a second straight quarter as job growth and loosening credit put an end to almost two years of steady declines.

Umpqua Holdings in Portland, Ore., posted stronger quarterly earnings because of an increase in mortgage banking fees and lower costs.

Residential markets will continue to rise in value over the next 12 months, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions.

NVR Inc. in Reston, Va., reported more new orders and a higher mortgage capture rate in the fourth quarter from the previous year, the homebuilder reported Tuesday.

A drop in interest rates due to global economic worries fueled an increase in mortgage applications last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Purchases of new homes surged in December to the highest level in 10 months, closing out the best year for housing since 2007.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose at a faster pace in the year ended November, underscoring the shortage of supply amid steady demand.

D.R. Horton, the largest U.S. homebuilder, reported fiscal first-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates as sales increased.

U.S. home prices rose 5.5% in November on a yearly basis, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

American International Group's plan to spin off a portion of its mortgage insurance unit is "almost pointless" given the challenges that CEO Peter Hancock faces to fix the much larger property-casualty business, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said.

American International Group Inc., the insurer being pressured by activist investor Carl Icahn to shrink the company, plans to pursue a partial spinoff of its mortgage guaranty unit.

Home Partners of America is securitizing a portfolio of single family rental homes with a unique feature: the tenants lease-to-own.