Government

Industry trade groups and lobbyists upped the ante in the war of policy, words, and influence following testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke before a joint congressional committee this week. News reports and statements contributed to the exchange Thursday, with outlets referencing punches pulled by the Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Home Builders, and National Association of Realtors, among others. The Qualified Residential Mortgage remains under attack, while others upheld the role of the GSEs in markets.

In a widely expected turn of events, lawmakers seated on the Senate Banking Committee approved would-be Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray for a full nomination vote along strictly partisan lines. The nominee will now face a full Senate vote, where his bid will likely meet stiff Republican opposition. Twelve Democrats on the committee signed off on his nomination, even while their 10 Republican colleagues lined up against it. The Senate will now schedule the first hearing.

Total Mortgage Services, LLC, is seeking new talent to add to its wholesale residential lending channel, TMS Funding. The company recently announced that it would hire new account executives in more than 21 states and Washington, D.C., as part of its continued expansion.

NewDay Financial has a worthy reason to celebrate, with the announcement that it would receive a Corporate Partners award from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). The company and its CEO, Rob Posner, is being honored for its strong provisional assistance to veterans in need of housing.

The American Credit Union Mortgage Association (ACUMA) has added a new member, with the incorporation of Equi-Trax Asset Solutions LP. Equi-Trax, a provider of borrower outreach programming and portfolio analytics, was recently accepted into the ACUMA, as part of the organization's continuing efforts to enhance its consumer assistance platforms.

Two cases from New York resonated with the mortgage fraud blotter Wednesday, with news sources reporting indictments against six people accused of raking in some $25 million in mortgage fraud and a reduced prison sentence for a money launderer previously convicted for stripping $98 million from lenders. A statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Reuters story contributed to the round of news for the MReport blotter. Left unclear: the amount of ruin for lenders and homeowners.

In yet another blow to major mortgage lenders, two brokers unveiled suits Monday against a string of companies alleging the defendants bilked veterans out of millions by hiding illegal fees under other charges for their refinance loans. Quickly emerging as a hot-button topic inside the Beltway, with some pointing fingers at federal agencies, the suit joins a pack of other litigation on the way for big banks. The matter involves the Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans program for veterans.

Lender Processing Services Inc. has appointed a new president and CEO, with the hiring of Hugh R. Harris. Harris' role begins immediately, effective October 5, and he will also join the company's board of directors.

A former mortgage banking executive is moving on to the lucrative realm of technology based real estate initiatives. Elizabeth O'Brien, previously a director for Citigroup, Inc., was recently announced as the managing director and senior vice president of Auction.

As Fed officials hinted at more stimulus measures for the ailing economy, research consultancy Capital Economics released a note signaling that more trouble ahead for the housing sector could delay a recovery until 2014. Writing for the consultancy, senior U.S. economist Paul Dales painted a grim portrait of the housing economy, explaining that less confidence among consumers and tight lending standards contribute to the view that market conditions will keep a heel on the housing recovery until 2014.