A letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and signed by 18 members of Congress asks for more information about the DOJ’s review of the merger, which it says was cleared “under extraordinarily questionable circumstances.” Continue reading
Less than four months after Compass and Anywhere — two of the biggest companies in real estate — announced a planned merger, the firms closed the $1.6 billion deal on Friday after receiving a majority of shareholder approval. Continue reading
Trump’s promise to “ban” large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes renews the debate over whether such a move would be legal — or make much of a dent on affordability. Continue reading
Compass also plans to offer up to $862.5 million in convertible senior notes in a private offering after 99 percent of Compass and 72 percent of Anywhere shares were cast in favor of merger. Continue reading
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are asking the DoJ and FTC to “thoroughly investigate” the pending deal, which they claim would “entrench existing antitrust and price manipulation concerns that have been at the center of mounting litigation.” Continue reading
FHFA acting Inspector General John “Joe” Allen is set to be fired, Reuters reports, and the position is now vacant as the mortgage giants move toward a public offering. Continue reading
The Trump administration has assured industry groups that a stable housing finance system and low mortgage rates are a “North Star” in plans for a secondary offering, but Dems complain they’ve been shut out of process. Continue reading
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker have asked federal regluator to pause any efforts to reprivatize Fannie and Freddie and study potential impact on mortgage rates. Continue reading
Survey shows most Americans are also concerned that privatizing the mortgage giants might lead to higher mortgage rates, although Democrats and independents are more likely to be worried than Republicans. Continue reading
If bond market investors get cold feet about buying government debt and mortgage-backed securities, that could push long-term interest rates higher, even if the Fed cuts short-term rates. Continue reading