Mortgages

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is an uncomfortable spot in 2015, caught between a Republican majority already critical of its recent actions and an Obama administration bent on increasing access to credit in part by using the agency's powers.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rose in November as employment gains and low borrowing costs helped bring potential buyers into the market.

Ocwen Financial's settlement with New York regulators could have a negative impact on the cash flows of mortgage bonds heavily exposed to loans serviced by Ocwen in that state, according to Moody's Investors Service.

The Lasting Impact Award honors an individual, group or company responsible for a technology initiative or development proven to have an enduring influence that's transformed mortgage finance. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Residential mortgage-backed securities servicers do not report losses from principal forbearance loan modifications consistently from servicer to servicer, a new Fitch report says.

The Justice Department is aiming to settle a probe into Morgan Stanley's subprime mortgage business by early 2015.

Incentives for companies aren't the same as incentives for people. The QRM risk-retention rule doesn't solve "IBG, YBG" — "I'll be gone, you'll be gone." Banks appear to have been slow to adopt clawback policies for individual lenders.

Renters paid $441 billion for apartments and houses this year, a $20.6 billion increase, as fewer Americans owned their homes and landlords with tight inventories raised leasing charges.

Borrowers who are being sued by lenders over the money owed on foreclosed mortgages are making novel use of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They argue that they cannot be sued if they live in a state different from the one where the property is located.

Student loans are now cited most often by young buyers as the main expense that prevents them from saving for a down payment on a house.

After 2014's sweeping reforms, which put huge strain on lenders' operations, 2015 may not look so bad. But big potential changes still loom

Black Knight Financial Services reported that U.S. home prices were up 4.5% in a year-over-year comparison during the month of October.

Green Tree Servicing has agreed to a $1.2 billion serviced advance financing facility with Barclays Bank.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose at a slower pace in the year ended in October, putting the market on better footing heading into 2015.

The Lenders' Choice Award commends the technology provider that offers the best customer service, value proposition and overall user experience. The winner is selected by a vote of industry professionals from mortgage lending and servicing institutions. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Home sales in November plunged compared to a year earlier, according to data published Monday by Redfin.

Having a specialty or a niche helps to keep your business away from being at the mercy of interest rate shoppers.

Connecticut received $30 million in grants for restoration and resiliency to infrastructure in municipalities affected by Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced.

Social media broadly distributes information to users of financial services, yet also creates a new sphere for potential compliance risks, especially for servicers.

Credit Karma has begun offering on-demand access to credit reports from Equifax.