Mortgages

Chris Schoenthal of HomeBridge Financial Services found a creative use for pickle jars in his quest to drum up new business.

Lennar Corp., the second-largest U.S. homebuilder, reported fiscal second-quarter earnings that beat estimates as the revived economy spurs new housing demand.

Mortgage applications rose 1.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

Senate Democrats are urging regulators to investigate potential discrimination in how banks and other financial institutions handle and market foreclosed homes.

Ocwen Financial Corp. has priced $225 million of asset-backed notes being offered as part of a debt refinancing.

Some argue that nonbank mortgage lenders' rising market share poses a risk to the financial system. But this belief arises from an inaccurate understanding of what is in fact a well-regulated sector.

If you want to know what a Greek exit from the euro would do to the €16.64 billion ($18.54 billion) of bonds out there backed by Greek assets, start with Argentina.

Velocity Commercial Capital, better known for lending on distressed commercial property, is behind the latest securitization of single-family rental properties, according to Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

The second-largest provider of U.S. mortgages through brokers is bringing back a debt type that that's almost disappeared since the financial crisis: Interest-only loans.

Flagstar Bancorp in Troy, Mich., has hired industry veteran Leonard Israel to lead its mortgage division.

Wells Fargo has hired two executives to expand its lending for manufactured housing, following the San Francisco company's purchase of a multibillion-dollar loan portfolio from GE Capital.

The price of homes rose 0.3% in April from the previous month, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Fannie Mae will no longer charge mortgage lenders to submit loans to its Desktop Underwriter automated underwriting system, a decision that follows a similar move by Freddie Mac earlier this month.

Purchases of new homes rose in May to the highest level in seven years, signaling the industry is gaining momentum heading toward the second half of the year.

Nonbank lender HomeBridge Financial Services has lifted the curtain on a new mortgage platform aimed at community banks and credit unions.

A recent critique of the CFPB's enforcement action against an alleged loan officer point bank run by RPM Mortgage perpetuates misinformation that only serves to undermine the policies and practices of responsible lenders.

Wells Fargo Bank is marketing $914 million of commercial mortgage bonds, according to a presale report released by Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to sell $29.1 million in distressed assets, a deal mandated by a bankruptcy judge as part of the company's acquisition of PNA Bank.

Access National in Reston, Va., said Chairman James "Ted" Jadlos resigned to focus on a mortgage-related business.

Fewer consumers today believe it's difficult to get a mortgage than a year ago. However, the majority of survey respondents still think the origination process is too tough and that there are too few homes on the market.