Tag Archives: Federal Reserve

When it comes to creating sustainable homeownership, some economists are saying the FHA is celebrating results it hasn't actually achieved. In a new study, New York University economics professor Andrew Caplin and his co-authors investigate mortgage risk assessment and the FHA's actual progress toward creating sustainable homeownership. Caplin and his co-authors conclude that the FHA measuring the wrong data and using flawed results to estimate mortgage risk--specifically, the risk related to internally refinanced loans.

The Federal Reserve's commitment to keep interest rates low until 2015 isn't doing much to persuade consumers to borrow.

Compliance and risk management professionals will flock to Texas in November for Wolters Kluwer Financial Service's 16th annual CRA & Fair Lending Colloquium. The financial services company is hosting the event November 12-15 at The Westin La Cantera in San Antonio. The colloquium is an opportunity for senior compliance and risk management executives to discuss their most pressing concerns with top regulators and industry leaders.

In its October Economic Outlook report, Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research Group pointed to financial and policy issues in the U.S. and abroad as looming challenges that could restrain meaningful economic growth in 2012. While the outlook on the economy was uncertain, the assessment for the housing market was more stable. Chief economist Doug Duncan said various indicators show "continued momentum toward a sustainable, long-term recovery," particularly the upward trend in home prices.

Mortgage direct mail may be down, but it's not dead and buried, marketing firm Mintel Comperemedia reported. A release from the company showed 62 million acquisition offers for mortgages were mailed to customers across the country in August, the highest monthly mail volume since May 2008. With the Federal Reserve committing to keep mortgage rates low until mid-2015 and demand for home loans improving, the environment is right for lenders to go full force with their direct marketing efforts, the firm said.

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) showed surprisingly little life this week following the better-than-expected jobs report for September. While rates did rise for the week ending October 11, most increases were mild. The 30-year fixed average posted the largest growth, rising to 3.39 percent (0.7 point) from 3.36 percent├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┬Øa record low├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┬Øthe week before. Bankrate's survey saw more dramatic increases, with the 30-year fixed hiking up seven basis points to 3.59 percent.

The nation's economy generally expanded modestly from mid-August until the end of September, the Federal Reserve said in its periodic Beige Book report issued Wednesday. The report, the last Beige Book to be issued prior to Election Day, painted a mixed regional picture, with a leveling off of economic activity in New York and a slowing in the pace of growth in Kansas City. Meanwhile, the remaining 10 federal reserve districts reported that "growth continued at a modest pace."

Consumer optimism about the housing market and homeownership improved substantially in September, Fannie Mae reported. According to the GSE's September 2012 National Housing Survey, upward trends in home prices and downward trends in mortgage rates throughout the summer reinforced positive attitudes about where the market is headed. Confidence about the economy also grew in September, marking a turnaround from a year of pessimism. Regarding the overall economy, 41 percent of consumers believe the country is on the right track.

Homeowners and potential first-time buyers couldn't be tempted by record-low mortgage rates last week, according to the Mortech Inc. and Mortgage Daily's U.S. Mortgage Market Index.

Those who thought they missed their opportunity to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates may not want to let go of hope just yet.