In a speaking engagement, Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth A. Duke addressed the plight of community bankers and maintained "the future of community banking is bright."

Subprime credit scores are declining across the country with strong declines in a few rebounding markets, according to Atlanta-based Equifax, a leading credit reporting agency. Designating credit scores below 620 as "subprime," Equifax found the number of subprime borrowers decreased 2.1 percent from the third quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2012. The 2.1 percent translates to about 1 million Americans who rose from the subprime category.

Bank brand values across the globe are on the rise, charting their highest values ever and double their values in 2009, during the financial crisis, according to the results of an annual study by Brand Finance. The most valuable bank brand worldwide is Wells Fargo, with a $26 billion brand, according to the study.

Global DMS, a Lansdale, Pennsylvania-based technology provider for the real estate industry, announced this week the addition of a new role and a seasoned professional to fill that role. Jody Collup joined Global DMS as VP of marketing.

The average credit score among online mortgage shoppers is rising and is well above the overall national average, according to a recent study by MortgageMarvel.com.

Following S&P's calculation of a 0.1 percent decrease in prices in November, analysis on home price data remained positive.

The STRATMOR Group, a Georgia-based consulting firm for the mortgage industry with more than 250 clients, announced Monday it is bringing Lisa Springer, an industry veteran with more than 20 years' experience, on board to serve in the role of practice manager.

After a lengthy waiting period banks and title insurers are beginning to prosper once again from a strengthening mortgage market.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) new rules on loan originator compensation will inevitably raise prices for consumers and harm small business, according to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). NAMB president Donald J. Frommeyer noted that the majority of the 10,579 mortgage brokers in the United States have five employees at most, and a large portion of the commission they receive on loans goes to paying overhead to operate their business.

While some analysts have been speculating over when the economy will return to its "normal" state, Fannie Mae says slow growth is the "new normal."