Underwriting

The ability-to-repay standard is responsible for the reduction in loan application defects over the past four-plus years, according to First American Financial.

Although mortgage default risk remains very low, it was the only category of consumer lending to experience increases both sequentially and year-to-year in VantageScore's latest update to its index.

Mortgage rates continued their climb this week, jumping 5 basis points to their highest level since May 2011, according to Freddie Mac.

Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in a race to offer services and technology that help mortgage bankers raise cash from mortgage servicing rights.

The Ginnie Mae 2020 report coming out this summer will reveal the path the agency is taking toward working with digital mortgages, an agency executive said at an industry conference.

JPMorgan Chase has largely sat on the sidelines of Federal Housing Administration lending due to compliance concerns. But recent regulatory relief efforts have Chase Home Mortgage CEO Mike Weinbach eyeing an opportunity to jump back in.

Mortgage rates have reversed course and reached a new high last seen seven years ago as the yield on the 10-year Treasury crossed the 3% threshold this week, according to Freddie Mac.

After originating more than $1 billion in loans outside the ability-to-repay rule's Qualified Mortgage safe harbor last year, Angel Oak is planning to originate at least twice that in 2018.

Mortgage rates were unchanged over the past week, but appear to be headed higher with a robust summer home sales season expected, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage credit availability was unchanged in April, as originators tightened their government lending programs but made more jumbo offerings available.

In a bid to cut time and costs from the mortgage process, Fannie Mae is testing whether appraisers can accurately determine a home's value without actually visiting the property.

Preferred Bank's experience with an apartment developer is a reminder of how important strict underwriting terms will be as loan demand increases, rates rise and lenders try to outdo each other.

Demands for loan quality aren't just coming from regulators and the government-sponsored enterprises. Secondary market partners and investors don't want to be left holding the bag if loans that lenders create have quality issues.

Fannie Mae's first-quarter profits were enough for it to rebuild its minimum capital buffer and pay the Treasury Department dividend after being forced to take a draw during the previous fiscal period.

Mortgage rates dipped slightly over the past week as yields on the 10-year Treasury retreated after breaking the 3% barrier, according to Freddie Mac.

In its latest effort to reach first time home buyers, Freddie Mac is launching a new 3% down payment program that casts aside a number of restrictions in its existing low down payment offerings.

Canada's big banks don't seem keen to follow Toronto-Dominion Bank's lead on mortgage hikes – at least not all the way.

If Freddie Mac's credit-risk transfer activities continue to grow, mortgage lenders could eventually see a reduction in the guarantee fees they pay to the government-sponsored enterprise, according to CEO Donald Layton.

Canada's mortgage growth has fallen to the lowest in nearly two decades as interest rates rise and after new mortgage rules took effect at the start of the year.

When it comes to purchasing a home, buyers have to put a lot of research and thought into any decision they make. From finding the best fit with a real estate agent, to how much work they are willing to do on move-in day, setting a budget and of course, picking the house itself.