Contracts, Invoices & Legal

While overall delinquencies eased in January, foreclosure starts jumped to their highest point since early 2020, signaling growing strain among late-stage borrowers despite steady mortgage performance. View the full article

Though changes to bank capital rules previewed by Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman in February being viewed as welcome, experts say other more significant hurdles — not all of them regulatory — are keeping banks on the sidelines of mortgage servicing and lending. View the full article

Realtors and loan officers are wary of using artificial intelligence in place of a real estate agent, after a homeowner claimed to realize meaningful savings. View the full article

Accounting rules on loan lock timing helped drag down nonbank mortgage profits, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. View the full article

The delay in its shareholder meeting to approve the sale to UWM Holdings put Two Harbors back in play, and an undisclosed buyer has stepped up with a new offer. View the full article

For the second week in a row, the 30-year fixed increased by 11 basis points, Freddie Mac found, a result of reaction to oil price hikes from the Iran conflict. View the full article

Rising insurance premiums and total ownership costs are driving borrower hesitation in high-cost regions. See how lenders can adapt strategically. View the full article

Banks must plan to support decentralized finance without disturbing their existing businesses. That's easier said than done. View the full article

The government MBS guarantor ended a 15-day advance notice mandate for extensions on a filing deadline so those with a March 31 due date can still ask for one. View the full article

Banks have a lot to celebrate in the operational risk framework, but advocates warn it cuts capital too far. View the full article

In other news, Better Mortgage completed warehouse renewals and Wolters Kluwer provided a new form of access to its digital vault platform for secured parties. View the full article

A new Basel III proposal offers mixed results for warehouse lending, with some risk-weight relief for banks but tougher terms that could crimp credit availability for nonbank mortgage lenders. View the full article

The Mortgage Bankers Association found gains in March for conforming, jumbo and government-sponsored loan indices for the third consecutive month. View the full article

The president of an affiliate mortgage securitization guarantor is taking on the responsibilities associated with the Federal Housing Administration role. View the full article

The government mortgage securitization guarantor flagged the goal back during the first The President administration, warning then that it would be a long-term project. View the full article

Despite a weak ADP jobs print, Treasury yields went nowhere, reinforcing a growing bearish, defensive case for rates, according to the CEO of IF Securities. View the full article

A White House Council of Economic Advisers report published Tuesday found that the CFPB cost consumers between $237 and $369 billion since its creation, an analysis that consumer advocates and some financial academics say is flawed. View the full article

GSMBS 2026-PJ2's losses are based on a senior-subordinate, shifting-interest structure and Fitch expects a 10.3% final probability of default in the AAA rating stress. View the full article

The Ohio Supreme Court nixed a consumer's attempt to secure relief for over 1,000 borrowers, regarding fines the lender owed them over late paperwork. View the full article

A highly esteemed bank policy researcher and author, Petrou was an influential voice in Washington and sharp critic of the Federal Reserve's ultra-low interest rate policy after the 2008 financial crisis. View the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said during an appearance Monday his decision on whether or not to support a cut to short-term interest rates depends on labor market indicators. View the full article