Mortgages

The term is open to interpretation and may refer to a broad range of real-estate finance activity. An "independent mortgage banker" has a narrower definition.

Proceeds could be used to support the company's loan originations as well pay down existing debt coming due in the next three years.

Home inventory on the market increased in May, but stubbornly high mortgage rates and home prices are leading to slow sales in many areas, according to reports from Redfin and Zillow.

Second liens have landed in the spotlight thanks to a recent Freddie Mac proposal, as well of record amounts of tappable home equity.

From updates in mortgage-related court cases, to developments in AI and policy, here are the most-read stories from National Mortgage News over the past week.

Borrowers still sought opportunities in the homebuilder market with activity trending upward for over a year, even as existing inventory showed signs of expanding.

Markets appeared to welcome signs of future rate relief, with the latest Freddie Mac average falling for the fifth time in six weeks.

The 22,385 homes entering the process last month was a 3% monthly increase but a 4% annual decline.

But despite increasing anxiety over rising costs, an overall majority of consumers also express optimism about their own improving financial prospects in the upcoming year, according to Transunion.

The Federal Reserve held firm on its current interest rate levels after its latest meeting, but inflation numbers are leading to talk of potential action in third and fourth quarters.

Homeowners responded to moderating interest rates and brought in significantly more refinance volume, with Department of Veterans Affairs numbers more than doubling from the prior week.

Lenders need to look at both data and algorithms to avoid inadvertent redlining complaints, not just in decision making but customer contact too.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. sued 15 lenders on loans brokered through Washington Mutual that were included in securitizations before the bank's 2008 failure.

The instant buying platform has been hit hard by the market's slowdown and sold 847 homes in the first quarter, down 47% from the same time last year.

The department will continue to monitor developments from a recent court settlement as it considers future rulemaking.

Pacific Investment Management Co. expects more regional bank failures in the U.S. because of a "very high" concentration of troubled commercial real estate loans on their books. 

Amid industry challenges, borrow a page from the playbooks of these industry leaders as they strategize around new roadblocks and look for fresh opportunities.

Rate locks have increased every month this year, but May's pace came in more subdued than early-year numbers, according to Mortgage Capital Trading.

Nearly one-in-five homeowners have to borrow to pay unexpected expenses related to their property, although 24% claim to have a rainy day fund, according to Bankrate.

The position had been occupied by Scott Smith on an interim basis following Black Knight's sale of the company to Constellation Software.