Mortgage rates nosedive in fallout from Silicon Valley Bank failure

Bank failures and a slowdown in wage growth have forecasters thinking the Fed will back off from an aggressive rate hike campaign next week. Continue reading

Antitrust regulators move to block ICE’s $11.7B Black Knight acquisition

The Federal Trade Commission alleges the deal would put an end to intense competition between the companies and drive up costs for lenders and homebuyers. Continue reading

Appraiser ordered to watch exposé on Black homeowners she lowballed

Paul Austin and wife Tenisha Tate-Austin sued appraiser Janette Miller in 2021 after a lowball quote prompted the couple to pose a white friend as the homeowner for a second appraisal. Continue reading

Federal consumer watchdog flags mortgage servicers’ junk fees

The CFPB alleges mortgage servicers charged excessive late fees, assessed “fake” private mortgage insurance premiums and made homeowners pay for unnecessary inspections. Continue reading

Black Knight ready to sell Empower to address antitrust concerns

A Deal with Constellation Software Inc. hinges on ICE closing the deal to acquire Black Knight, now valued at $11.7 billion. ICE says it’s prepared to fight FTC in court. Continue reading

Park National Bank latest lender to settle federal redlining charges

The Ohio bank’s $9 million pledge to promote ownership in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods is the sixth since the DOJ launched an initiative to combat redlining in October 2021, with lawsuits generating $84 million in relief to date. Continue reading

Utah 1st state to ban long-term listing agreements enforced by lien

Legislation expected to go into effect April 1 addresses allegedly deceptive tactics employed by MV Realty and was based on a model bill drafted by American Land Title Association. Continue reading

FTC prepares to challenge ICE’s $13B Black Knight deal: Report

The Federal Trade Commission is not convinced that Black Knight’s plans to spin off its Empower loan origination system allays antitrust concerns, “Politico” reports. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie keep building capital reserves as profits shrink

By one measure, the mortgage giants have built up two-thirds of the reserves needed for them to be released from government conservatorship. Continue reading

Real estate industry welcomes FHA premium cuts, with caveats

Cuts are expected to save borrowers $678 million a year but don’t apply to existing loans or release homeowners who have built up equity from “life-of-loan” requirements. Continue reading