Auto risks mounting. Mortgage market tightening. Are there any good risks these days in consumer lending? Regional bank executives insist partnerships with online lenders, unsecured personal loans and other niche efforts can work if done properly.
From the small lender’s perspective, most of the various GSE reform proposals that have been offered are designed to advance the interests of the big banks.
Supporters maintain hope that the Federal Housing Administration will revive a proposed premium cut, but a key obstacle remains: There's no one to run the agency.
With traditional mortgage lending opportunities becoming increasingly scarce, banks in Seattle and Portland are loading up on jumbos, diving into multifamily and reviving dormant bridge loan programs.
A key question for the future of housing finance is whether large and small lenders will both be able to compete, or will a new system favor Wall Street giants?
