Secondary markets

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's seriousness about overhauling the nation's $10 trillion mortgage market will soon be tested.

Republican lawmakers are citing a recent report that delinquencies rose for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration as a reason to delay a premium cut, but economists suggest the uptick is related to seasonal issues.

Economic growth and lasting positive change within the mortgage industry require carefully considered strategy and close analysis of potential scenarios, not hastily-conceived executive orders.

Commercial mortgage loan originations in 2017 are expected to increase 3% over last year to a record high, as market fundamentals and property prices remain strong, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that barred hedge funds from suing to overturn the U.S. government's 2012 decision to capture billions of dollars in the profits generated by the mortgage guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after their bailout.

The Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank experienced a significant jump in mortgage originations in 2016 due to a "re-introduction" of its traditional Mortgage Partnership Finance loan product.

Freddie Mac is ramping up its use of credit risk transfers, completing $215 billion in single-family transfers last year, up to $600 billion since 2013.

The change of power in the White House will not affect Fannie Mae's focus for 2017 in bringing innovations similar to the Day 1 Certainty program to its customers, CEO Timothy Mayopoulos said in an interview.

Jared Kushner relinquished control of his family's multibillion-dollar real estate business in January to eliminate conflicts of interest when he became a top White House adviser to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump.

Fannie Mae reported higher net income in the fourth quarter over the previous year.