Mortgages

Treasury sweep agreement set to deplete Fannie and Freddie's capital reserves by the end of 2017.

Purchases of new homes increased in November to the second-fastest pace in almost nine years as the beginning of a spike in mortgage rates persuaded buyers to quickly sign contracts.

Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse Group agreed to pay a combined $12.5 billion to resolve U.S. investigations into sales of the toxic debt that fueled the financial crisis, putting behind them a major dispute that undermined confidence in the banks and raised questions about their turnarounds.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Dec. 23.

Regulators have warned about the dangers of high commercial real estate concentrations despite bankers' assertions that they are managing risk better compared to the financial crisis. Still, CRE concerns could influence M&A and loan diversification in 2017.

Barclays was sued by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly deceiving investors who bought mortgage-backed securities, according to court papers filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

Opposition is lining up against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's arbitration plan. A Republican-controlled Congress is expected to overturn a final rule even as industry groups file lawsuits to stop it from going into effect. Some attorneys think the arbitration rule-making is already dead on arrival.

A consumer's ability to afford to purchase a home during the fourth quarter was at its lowest level in eight years due to rapid price appreciation, moderate wage growth and the post-election increase in interest rates.

Foreclosure starts increased nearly 7% in November from the previous month, but when compared to the previous year, they were down by over 9%, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

For years, Donald Trump has used a powerful tool when dealing with bankers: his personal guarantee.

Mortgage rates continued their climb, with the 30-year reaching its highest level since April 2014, after the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark lending rate.

Andrew Jetter is stepping down as the chief executive of Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka after serving as the president and the chief executive for 14 years.

Expectations of transaction volume in the year ahead are down for the fourth quarter in the wake of the presidential election, according to data from First American Financial Corp.

Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin is facing growing pressure from Senate Democrats to account for his leadership of a bank accused of shoddy foreclosure practices.

Refinance activity in November was even compared with the prior month, though the data suggested that the market is prepping for higher rates to cut into this segment, according to Ellie Mae.

Ginnie Mae, at the urging of the mortgage industry, has revised the wording of the acknowledgment agreements necessary to finance servicing rights. It hopes the move improves Ginnie MSRs' liquidity.

First Commonwealth Financial in Indiana, Pa., has hired a former Regions Financial executive to lead several of its consumer lending groups.

The distressed $149.4 million loan that backed UBS Group AG's giant trading-floor complex in Stamford, Conn., is up for sale, according to a person with knowledge of the offering.

Mortgage application volume rose 2.5% from the prior week, even as interest rates reached two-year highs, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly increased in November to the strongest level since early 2007, ahead of a jump in borrowing costs, National Association of Realtors data showed.