Fannie, Freddie regulator vows to protect consumers from rising credit report fees

FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s tweet dented Equifax, Experian and TransUnion shares as the MBA renewed calls to do away with tri-merge reporting. Continue reading

FHA builds record reserves against a gathering storm of delinquencies

With delinquencies and debt-to-income ratios on the rise, the Trump administration is lifting foreclosure restrictions and eyeing tighter underwriting requirements for borrowers with multiple risk factors. Continue reading

NAR’s final report of 2025 showed growing homebuyer momentum

In November, pending home sales made their best showing yet of 2025, in a sign of growing homebuyer confidence in response to factors like increased affordability and higher inventory. Continue reading

He’s been at the MBA and Fannie Mae. Here’s who he thinks has the better 2026 mortgage forecast

Economist Doug Duncan weighs in on the challenges facing economic forecasters today, cutbacks in economic reports produced by Fannie and Freddie, Fed independence, and more. Continue reading

These are the stories you couldn’t get enough of in 2025

From crimes and misdemeanors to mergers and acquisitions, clients weren’t the only ones making major moves this year. Here are the most-read Download column topics of 2025, updated for EOY. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie’s low-income homebuyer goals dialed back

Trump administration claims quotas for low-income borrowers hurt the middle class. NAR says where is the data? Consumer and civil rights groups say hundreds of thousands of working class and minority homebuyers will be sent packing. Continue reading

Cotality and Ascend licensed to generate FICO scores for lenders

Fair Isaac’s Mortgage Direct License Program is aimed at eliminating mark-ups charged by credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — backers of competing VantageScore. Continue reading

Freddie Mac taps retired Deloitte consultant Kenny Smith as CEO

Smith’s expertise in financial services was cited as an asset as the Trump administration prepares to sell part of its ownership stake in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in a public offering. Continue reading

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are quietly stockpiling mortgages

Monthly purchases of $13 billion in mortgages and MBS may be taking pressure off mortgage rates — and setting the stage for a more attractive public offering. Continue reading

FHA will back loans up to $1.249M in high-cost markets next year

Popular with first-time homebuyers, FHA loans have higher delinquency rates, and borrowers are more likely to end up underwater or in foreclosure when home prices fall. Continue reading