Mark Palim

Rate Cooldown Boosts Consumer Optimism For 2024

Posted on by TMN Editor
The mortgage rate cooldown is giving Americans a somewhat rosier view of 2024’s housing market, sparking some optimism despite overall dour views about the state of buying and selling. That’s according to Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index, which increased 2.9 points in December to a reading of 67.2. Though Americans generally see homebuying in a negative light, cooling rates pushed the “good time to buy” component of Fannie’s index up slightly month-over-month to 17%. That’s up from 14% in November, a survey low. The boost was the result of a record-high number of consumers saying they expect mortgage rates to fall in the next 12 months (31%).  “This significant shift in consumer expectations comes on the heels of the…

Remote Office Inspection Helps Financial Companies Comply With Laws And Agency Guidelines

Posted on by TMN Editor
By KIMBERLEY HAAS Leaders at ActiveComply say their new digital service helps companies in highly regulated industries stay compliant while employing remote workers. Banks, mortgage lenders, credit unions, and investment banking firms have to follow strict agency guidelines, as well as state and federal laws. Remote Office Inspection allows compliance teams at those institutions to document their efforts when employees are working outside of the office. Rob Nunziata, co-founder and CEO of ActiveComply, uses the example of FHA home loan files, which must be protected under rules established by officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nunziata said the most important thing to regulators is that consumer data is protected. “We had a conversation with HUD early…