Government

Continuing its sell off, First Niagara Bank has announced its intention to liquidate another 27 branches. The move is part of the company's transition following its acquisition of HSBC Bank's regional retail business in New York and Connecticut.

First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation has appointed a new assistant vice president, with the announcement that Lyle Lasky will join the company at its national underwriting and credit compliance manager. FGMC will capitalize on Lasky's 17 years of experience in the industry to enhance its quality and compliance initiatives.

Presidential hopefuls remain quiet on subjects related to housing finance reform ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô except when it comes to politics. With former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trumping former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the South Carolina primary Saturday, the latter went on the attack Monday by reportedly criticizing his opponent for a $1.6-million contract he signed with Freddie Mac to advise the GSE at one time. These rows touch offer the only debate for candidates over housing, signaling only peripheral discussion of a still-lagging sector.

Three new banks went under Friday, marking the first for 2012 since state and federal regulators closed 92 financial institutions last year. State regulators in Florida and Georgia shuttered Central Florida State Bank and The First State Bank in Belleview and Stockbridge, respectively. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed American Eagle Savings Bank in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania. The latest bank failures mark the first three for 2012. Last year saw 92 closures nationally, while 2010 bore witness to 157 bank failures.

Ahead of the primary in South Carolina Saturday, Republican presidential hopefuls will compete for the chance for a face off with President Barack Obama ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô a contest remarkably lacking in housing proposals for one that will take place in 15 battleground states with slipshod home values. The Progressive Policy Institute issued a policy brief Friday that said home values have fallen by 16 percent since October 2008, and that ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô despite a correspondingly steep drop in household wealth ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô few voters should expect candidates from either party to address housing finance reform in the election.

The Federal Housing Administration finalized a new rule Friday that makes it tougher to qualify for loans insured by the agency. To qualify for mortgage insurance, lenders must offer up evidence that their seriously delinquent and claim rates remain at or below 150 percent of aggregate rates in home states. The rule authorizes more extensive examination for lenders in order to ensure that they are able to meet the FHA├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós new qualifications. It requires that certain lenders indemnify HUD in claims over loans. The move arrives amid criticism that diminishing capital for the FHA may necessitate its bailout.

Make room for another departure from the federal housing community. On Friday the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati announced that president and CEO David Hehman planned to retire, concluding a career he started with the institution in 1977. The Federal Home Loan Bank├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós board of directors selected Andrew Howell, currently EVP and COO for the financial institution, to succeed the outgoing president. Hehman first arrived at the Federal Home Loan Bank in 1977, when he left his position as assistant professor of economics and finance at Xavier University.

Housing starts declined by 4.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in December, even while figures for single-family homes climbed year-over-year, offering signs that it may unseat multifamily construction after several months. Single-family housing starts went up 4.4 percent at a seasonally adjusted rate of 470,000, with the December rate for building construction with five units or more hovering around 147,000. Building permits crept forward to an annual rate of 679,000, a 7.8-percent increase year-over-year and 0.1-percent annual increase month-over-month.

Interest rates for mortgage loans plunged to new lows Thursday, as debt crises in Europe continued to weigh heavily on investors. Finance Web site Bankrate.com and mortgage company Freddie Mac released separate surveys signaling all-time lows for mortgage rates. For Freddie, the 30-year fixed-rate loan fell to 3.88 percent, down from 3.89 percent last week. Bankrate.com revealed rates for the 30-year mortgage staying the same at 4.18 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage went up a percentage point for Freddie, reaching 3.17 percent, up from 3.16 percent last week.

Adding to its management lineup, Veros Real Estate Solutions has announced the appointment of Charles Rumfola as the company's senior vice president of strategic initiatives. Veros will capitalize on Rumfola's extensive industry experience to enhance its activities in the secondary market.