First American settles ‘no-poach’ allegations with New York AG

The $4.5 million agreement follows similar settlements with “big four” title insurance underwriters Fidelity National Financial, Old Republic National Title Insurance and Stewart Title Guaranty. Continue reading

Impact of ‘lock-in effect’ on listings may have been overstated

Fannie Mae researchers say rising mortgage rates aren’t the only reason homeowners have been reluctant to sell, and rates coming back down won’t necessarily produce a flood of for-sale listings. Continue reading

VantageScore: New scoring model could qualify 4.9M extra borrowers

Company puts heat on regulators to stick to 2025 timetable for requiring lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 to evaluate borrowers, saying delays could impact “creditworthy people of color.” Continue reading

Biden administration backs plan to convert more offices to homes

Initiative provides new financing and technical assistance to developers and local government, and highlights grants and tax incentives that can make conversion projects more attractive. Continue reading

Mortgage demand slips again as rates continue relentless rise

Loan applications slipped to lowest level since 1995 as mortgage rates climb for the seventh week in a row, according to a weekly survey of lenders by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Continue reading

Rocket subsidiary Lendesk launches mortgage AI assistant

Lender Spotlight AI Assistant sifts through the finer points of more than 7,000 mortgage options to help brokers identify the right product and answer clients’ questions. Continue reading

Project to tackle appraisal bias continues with Nov. 1 hearing

The public is invited to join leaders from the American Bankers Association and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a hearing on tackling appraisal bias. Continue reading

Mortgage rates ease after Powell weighs in on impacts of tightening

The Fed chair acknowledged that in principle, elevated term premiums — higher rates of return bond investors are demanding to compensate them for risk — could reduce the need for further rate hikes. Continue reading

Ameris is now 10th lender to settle DOJ redlining charges in 2 years

In announcing the $9 million settlement with the Florida lender, Attorney General Merrick Garland said DOJ “currently has over two dozen active investigations into redlining, spanning neighborhoods across the country.” Continue reading