Scaling from Freelancer to Business Owner

Zillow Home Loans originated 57% more purchase mortgages versus the third quarter of 2024, with production and segment revenue growth beating estimates. View the full article

While Rocket increased 15 points, it slipped to 11th overall as other mortgage lenders had higher customer service score growth, J.D, Power said. View the full article

Tri-merge mandates prop up a credit bureau/FICO oligopoly, raising mortgage costs with little benefit despite risk concerns, the chairman of Whalen Global Advisors argues. View the full article

US consumer sentiment increased to a five-month high in January as Americans grew more optimistic about the economy and their finances. View the full article

Rates actually declined or remained flat over a two-year period in 15 states, including Florida, with natural disasters and tariffs affecting 2026's movements. View the full article

Mortgage lenders test crypto-backed mortgages as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac review digital assets in underwriting, weighing risk, non-QM loans and access for nontraditional homebuyers. View the full article

The MBA's Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped 5% on a seasonally-adjusted basis and 6% on an unadjusted basis. View the full article

The announcement follows Realpha's two previous mergers with mortgage brokerages, as well as its purchases of AI firms and title businesses. View the full article

The Arkansas-based company spent nearly four years on the M&A sidelines, grappling with asset quality issues and litigation tied to its 2022 acquisition of Texas-based Happy State Bank. Now it's signed a letter of intent to buy an unnamed bank. View the full article

The government-sponsored enterprise removed a limit on adjustable-rate mortgages, and added flexibilities for repair, manufactured home and ADU financing. View the full article

The move formalizes acting leadership roles both have had in different segments of the government-backed mortgage market serving many first-time homebuyers. View the full article

The Senate confirmed former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board member Jonathan McKernan to serve as Treasury's under secretary for domestic finance on a party-line vote, installing a key industry ally in the Treasury Department. View the full article

NAHB's remodeling index finished at its highest mark in a year, with the current industry outlook standing in stark contrast to homebuilder sentiment. View the full article

Prolonged funding pressures in US money markets, just as bank reserves held at the Federal Reserve are dwindling, suggest the central bank may be getting closer to ending the unwinding of its massive portfolio of securities. View the full article

First Federal Bank stretched its retail mortgage operations into Louisiana and Mississippi, following its expansion into the Midwest and Arizona in 2023. View the full article

Housing starts in the US fell in October to the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic as data delayed by last fall's government shutdown showed builders continued to cut back amid still-high prices and mortgage rates. View the full article

The accusations, relating to the lender's marketing programs, including trips for brokers as things of value, stem from a larger racketeering complaint. View the full article

Rate-and-term transactions leaped by 154% from August to September, while cash-outs and purchase loans also increased, according to Optimal Blue. View the full article

A coalition of mortgagees said the zombie seconds law negatively impacts 1.2 million junior liens statewide, despite just over 500 potential "zombie" loans. View the full article

The Massachusetts Democrat requested to see records related to second liens that banks were required to expunge per terms of the 2012 mortgage settlement. View the full article

Stenger joins the Chicago-based lender after more than a decade at Movement Mortgage and will oversee its retail platform, including new tech enhancements. View the full article

Along with the company's rebranding to Lendware, a new CEO also takes the helm following allegations of financial mismanagement among some former leaders. View the full article