Mortgage rates nosedive in fallout from Silicon Valley Bank failure
Bank failures and slowdown in wage growth have forecasters thinking the Federal Reserve will back off from aggressive rate hike campaign when it meets next week
by Matt Carter Mar 13
Antitrust regulators move to block ICE's $11.7B Black Knight acquisition
Federal Trade Commission alleges the deal would put an end to intense competition between the companies and drive up costs for lenders and homebuyers
by Matt Carter Mar 10
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
by Ben Verde Mar 9
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
by Matt Carter Mar 8
Black Knight ready to sell Empower to address antitrust concerns
Deal with Constellation Software Inc. hinges on Intercontinental Exchange closing deal to acquire Black Knight, now valued at $11.7B. ICE says it's prepared to fight FTC in court
by Matt Carter Mar 7
Park National Bank latest lender to settle federal redlining charges
The Ohio bank's $9M pledge to promote ownership in Black and Hispanic areas is the 6th since the DOJ launched an initiative to combat redlining in 2021 that has generated $84M in relief
by Matt Carter Mar 3
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
by Matt Carter Mar 2
FTC prepares to challenge ICE's $13B Black Knight deal: Report
Federal Trade Commission not convinced that Black Knight's plans to spin off its Empower loan origination system allays antitrust concerns, 'Politico' reports
by Matt Carter Feb 27
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
by Matt Carter Feb 27
Real estate industry welcomes FHA premium cuts, with caveats
Premium cuts are expected to save borrowers $678M a year but don't apply to existing loans or release homeowners who have built up equity from 'life-of-loan' requirements
by Matt Carter Feb 23
More homebuyers are blaming their agents — and hauling them to court
Even though the extreme seller's market is in the rearview mirror, disgruntled clients have been filing more lawsuits against their agents, according to an analysis by Victor Insurance Managers
by Daniel Houston Feb 21
Study sounds the alarm on $187B 'climate housing bubble'
Study led by economists at the Environmental Defense Fund identifies some surprising regions, such as Appalachia and northern New England, as overvaluation hotspots
by Matt Carter Feb 16
ICE sees $13B Black Knight merger surviving antitrust concerns
Black Knight is reportedly looking to spin off its Empower loan origination system to placate regulators' antitrust concerns as critics raise market power, data privacy issues
by Matt Carter Feb 15
Court tosses redlining suit sparked by mortgage broker's radio show
Regulators alleged statements made by hosts of Townstone Financial's call-in show discouraged 'prospective' African-American applicants from seeking mortgage loans
by Matt Carter Feb 8
Regulators fire warning shot over bow of mortgage comparison sites
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said operators of mortgage comparison-shopping platforms may be violating RESPA if they manipulate search results to coerce kickbacks
by Matt Carter Feb 7
City National Bank to pay at least $31M to settle redlining charges
Biggest redlining settlement in DOJ history is 5th enforcement action since launch of initiative to combat redlining in 2021, with $75M in relief to date. Bank denies it engaged in redlining
by Matt Carter Jan 13