Mortgage bankers take a stand against tri-merge credit reporting

Consumer group say FHFA’s plan to pit VantageScore 4.0 against older FICO Classic score will make “anti-competitive natures of the credit scoring market even worse.” Continue reading

Homebuilders cry ‘uncle’ as duties on Canadian lumber hit 27%

NAHB urges Trump administration to negotiate new softwood lumber agreement with Canada “that will provide a fair and equitable solution to all parties and eliminate tariffs altogether.” Continue reading

Mortgage rates drop with stocks on surprise jobs report and new tariffs

Trump announces new tariffs on dozens of countries beginning Aug. 7, fires BLS commissioner after revised jobs report shows dramatic slowdown in payroll growth in May and June. Continue reading

In split vote, Fed policymakers snub Trump, leave rates unchanged

With job market stable and economy chugging along, futures market investors now think the odds of a September rate cut are less than even. Continue reading

Homebuyers still have jitters about the economy and job market

Mortgage rates have stabilized and more inventory is coming online, but applications for purchase loans fell by a seasonally adjusted 6 percent last week compared to the week before. Continue reading

Higher rates aren’t stopping homebuyers from bargain hunting

Purchase loan requests are up 3 percent from a week ago and 22 percent from last year even as mortgage rates climb to highest level in four weeks, Mortgage Bankers Association survey shows. Continue reading

Elizabeth Warren calls Pulte out for social media attacks on Powell

In July alone, 114 posts raise “significant questions about your judgment and commitment to operating FHFA in a responsible, competent, and lawful manner,” Senator scolds Fannie, Freddie regulator. Continue reading

Outside lawyers, WSJ editorial board urge Trump not to fire Powell

Trump administration would probably lose court battle, lawyers reportedly advise White House, and markets would react badly, “The Wall Street Journal” warns. Continue reading

Mortgage rates are headed up again on June CPI inflation report

Inflation moved away from Fed’s 2 percent target for the second month in a row, with the cost of goods and services rising 2.7 percent from a year ago, up from 2.3 percent in April. Continue reading

Trump adminstration accuses another political opponent of mortgage fraud: Adam Schiff

Like Leticia James, Sen. Adam Schiff denies lying on mortgage applications and decries “baseless attempt at political retribution” that won’t stop him from holding Trump accountable. Continue reading