Mortgages

Sure, the U.S. government recently handed down strong new rules designed to protect consumers from unwanted robo-calls. But maybe some robo-calls aren't so bad. Like debt-collection calls in cases where the debt happens to be backed by Uncle Sam.

The first securitization of single-family rental properties appears to be at risk of a maturity default.

Flagstar Bancorp reported a third-quarter profit, as it originated more residential mortgages and recorded higher fee income.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to sell about $1.3 billion of nonperforming residential loans next month.

Genworth Financial agreed to sell a European mortgage insurance operation to AmTrust Financial Services Inc. as CEO Tom McInerney divests assets to bolster capital amid tighter regulation on companies that back home loans in the U.S.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose at a faster pace in the year ended August, a sign the industry continues to strengthen on improving demand.

Combined with the disparate impact theory, recently recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court under the Fair Housing Act, the HMDA rule further compounds legal risks and business challenges to lenders.

The financial condition of the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance fund has improved “significantly” over the past year, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro predicted late Monday.

First Mortgage Corp. in Ontario, Calif., has stopped originating mortgages and plans to cease operations.

Home prices increased 0.3% from July and 5.5% year-over-year in August, putting them just below their precrisis peak, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

Despite a slight uptick month-to-month, delinquency rates are down year-to-year.

Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emerson's term as chairman of the MBA underscores how the consumer-direct mortgage channel has grown from a quirky novelty to the force leading a technology revolution.

Purchases of new homes slumped in September to a 10-month low, disrupting a trend of steady improvement this year in the industry.

Residential mortgage-backed securities servicers are improving their processes despite generally adverse market conditions, Fitch Ratings found.

Housing markets across the U.S. continue to gradually improve, according to Freddie Mac.

Consumer demand for apartments continued to rise in the third quarter, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council.

Astoria Financial, a New York City-area thrift under pressure from activist investor Basswood Capital Management to boost the share price, is exploring a sale, according to people familiar with the matter. The stock climbed as much as 6.2%.

Lawmakers and industry groups are urging FHA to update condo rules to provide more homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers.

Mortgage rates fell this week as investors acted on Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel Tarullo's doubts on an interest rate increase occurring before the end of the year.

Mortgage professional hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Oct. 23.