Law and regulation

Single-issuer Ginnie I pools have been the mainstay of the Ginnie MBS program for decades.

Lower Federal Housing Administration premiums are a possibility that Ginnie Mae securities investors must keep tabs on because they could move markets. FHA increased premiums but is worried about lower production volumes.

A different compensation structure is possible if broker products fill in gaps banker loans fail to fill and there are careful written policies in place that cover compliance concerns.

With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's QM regulation implementation date looming large, credit unions are gearing up to make sure all of their related software and operating systems ducks are in a row.

A long-awaited final rule for the Public Housing Capital Fund Program, effective Nov. 25, implements significant changes to the old rule, according to insiders.

Home value data reported by Pro Teck Valuation Services confirm that state regulation will continue to negatively affect property values and the housing recovery.

The battle over how to craft affordable housing requirements as part of mortgage finance reform took center stage on Thursday as witnesses at a Senate Banking Committee hearing sparred over the issue, including whether dedicated funds should be subject to Congressional appropriations.

Consumers who refinanced their mortgages over the last year or so still saw stacks of paper on the closing table. Now, an unlikely agent of change may help push paperless adoption: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The lender paid a $7.5 million fine in July for violating the do not call list regulations and that might have had more to do with its shutdown.

Emphasis on refinancing has left the purchase market in the dust.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday it was charging Castle & Cooke Mortgage $13 million in penalties for allegedly pushing consumers into costlier mortgages in order to give kickbacks to loan officers.

The GSE benefits from lower defaults, rising home prices. It is now within a few billion dollars of paying off its debt to taxpayers.

Originators can't divide annual income by 12 to see if the borrower qualifies for a loan.

Freddie’s second sale of notes tied to the risk of homeowner defaults came in at a lower cost than in its initial offering, according to one source familiar with it.

Federal agencies are pursing some of the largest U.S. lenders for claims tied to faulty underwriting and bias on home loans.

Reserves covered Wells’ payment and the bank is making some progress when it comes to reducing its potential legal expenses.

Congressmen want FHFA to preserve Fannie and Freddie's role in MF lending.

Automation can patch holes currently being "spackled" by humans, freeing them up for better use elsewhere.

The directive bars banks that do business with Fannie and Freddie from receiving commissions from insurers, but still lets insurers provide services for free or at a reduced cost.

Community banks sustained a 27% decline in mortgage banking income last quarter, confirming the laments of individual banks during earnings season. Some banks are getting creative to try to revive their business in coming quarters, but it will be tough.