New customers and layoffs help Blend approach profitability
In addition to signing a multi-year deal with Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Blend laid off 50 workers in September, or about 9% of its workforce, helping trim expenses by 32%
by Matt Carter Nov 6
Investors betting Trump will privatize Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
Shares in the mortgage giants soared Wednesday on expectations that the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans will revive efforts to privatize the mortgage giants
by Matt Carter Nov 6
Mortgage rates climb as investors weigh impact of election results
Appetite for bonds wanes as investors pile into the stock market and assess whether Donald Trump's return to the White House will fuel more government borrowing and reignite inflation
by Matt Carter Nov 6
LoanDepot is back in the black for the first time since Q4 2021
Beleaguered lender ekes out $2.67M Q3 profit on $315M in revenue, with loan originations up 9% from a year ago as mortgage refinancing bounces back on retreating rates
by Matt Carter Nov 5
LoanDepot adds to its stable of homebuilder joint ventures
Partner in Ridgeland Mortgage, Smith Douglas Homes, went public in January and targets price-conscious entry-level and empty-nest homebuyers in the South and Southeast
by Matt Carter Nov 5
Weak jobs, manufacturing reports provide no relief for mortgage rates
Hurricanes and strikes were expected to dent job creation, and bond market investors are looking ahead to next week's election, Fed meeting and government bond auctions, analysts say
by Matt Carter Nov 1
Falling rates help boost Fannie and Freddie loan volumes, net worths
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provided backing for $164B in purchase mortgages in Q3, up 10% from Q2, while remaining profitable and growing their combined net worths to $147B
by Matt Carter Nov 1
Inflation cooled in September, nearing the Fed's 2% target
Mortgage rates inch up as an expected decline in key inflation gauge does little to change expectations for Fed rate cuts among investors who fund most home loans
by Matt Carter Oct 31
Want to build a great team? Start with great core values
Rick Guerrero interviews mortgage leader Gavin Ekstrom about hiring, culture and building a team on a firm foundation
by Rick Guerrero Oct 31
Latest jobs, GDP reports point to November Federal Reserve rate cut
Relief would be good news for would-be homebuyers, although purchase loan applications are still up 10% from a year ago as mortgage rates hit highest levels since July, MBA survey shows
by Matt Carter Oct 30
Fannie and Freddie will let more buyers off the hook for an appraisal
Appraisal waiver programs that rely on automated valuation models will be expanded next year to allow participation by homebuyers putting less than 20% down, with OK from federal regulator
by Matt Carter Oct 29
Mortgage rates back at 7% as bond market investors stage rebellion
'Bond vigilantes' figure 'no matter which party wins the White House and the Congress, fiscal policies will bloat the budget deficit and heat up inflation,' Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni warns
by Matt Carter Oct 28
Redlining settlement wouldn't resolve 1st Amendment questions
The CFPB claimed statements made by hosts of Townstone Financial's AM radio call-in show and podcasts discouraged Black Chicago residents from applying for a mortgage
by Matt Carter Oct 25
Profits roll in at Mr. Cooper as it pursues tech-fueled growth
Deal to acquire Flagstar’s mortgage servicing business later this year is projected to grow Mr. Cooper's customer base to nearly 7M and servicing portfolio to $1.59T
by Matt Carter Oct 23
Rising mortgage rates are taking their toll on homebuyer demand
Demand for mortgages is at the lowest level since July, although MBA survey shows purchase loan requests are up slightly from a year ago when rates were headed for post-pandemic highs
by Matt Carter Oct 23
California is 2nd state to revoke LoanSnap's license this month
Costa Mesa, California-based provider of debt consolidation loans saw most of its business dry up last year and was evicted from its headquarters in May
by Matt Carter Oct 22