Bank of America is introducing a zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time buyers geared towards underserved communities. The Community Affordable Loan Solution will roll out in designated markets, including certain Black and Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, LA, and Miami. It is a Special Purpose Credit Program that operates off of factors like timely rent, utility bill, phone, and car payments. It does not require mortgage insurance and a minimum credit score. Eligibility is based on income and home location. Prospective buyers have to complete a homebuyer certification course from approved counseling partners prior to application. The program is in addition to BoA’s existing Community Homeownership Commitment program, which aims to help 60,000 individuals and…
Consumer advocates and Democratic leaders are asking U.S. regulatory bodies to block TD Bank’s takeover of First Horizon Bank. The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) and Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund sent a letter to the Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency asking them to reject a proposed merger between TD Bank and First Horizon Bank. Their letter highlights reasons why regulators should stop the merger, pointing out misconduct by TD Bank and an “exacerbation of the ‘too-big-to-fail’ problem.” Other advocacy groups signed the letter in support. Toronto-Dominion Bank, a Canadian company, announced a plan earlier this year to acquire Memphis, TN-based First Horizon for $13.4 billion in cash. The Bank Merger Act requires the…
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a contributor and contains the individual’s views, opinions, or personal experiences. Last week, we announced the merger of the Community Mortgage Lenders of America and theCommunity Home Lenders Association under a renamed Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA). To date, both organizations have represented a similar profile of members and have historically taken similar policy positions. After extended discussion, we both concluded that combining CMLA and CHLA would mean more members, more financial resources, and more combined staff. This would enhance our ability to influence mortgage policies in Washington and explain the key role community lenders and in particular smaller independent mortgage banks (IMBs)—play in mortgage lending. Policy fights in Washington are not…
Home prices have peaked in a growing number of overpriced housing markets as sellers and buyers pull back in the face of rising interest rates and affordability challenges. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University analyzed the 100 most overvalued housing markets by looking at their premiums, the percentage above the long-term pricing trend that buyers must pay on a property. The larger the premium, the more overpriced the market. In July, they found that premiums fell in 27 markets. Of those, 22 also saw home prices fall. Most of these markets are west of the Mississippi River. This is a significant increase from June when premiums declined in 12 markets and prices fell in only seven. FAU’s…
Mortgage rates shot back up, rising from 5.13% last week to an average of 5.55%, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.55%, continuing a rollercoaster few weeks that has seen both a 30-point rate decrease and a 20-point increase. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.87%. “The combination of higher mortgage rates and the slowdown in economic growth is weighing on the housing market,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Home sales continue to decline, prices are moderating, and consumer confidence is low. But, amid waning demand, there are still potential homebuyers on the sidelines waiting to jump back into the market.” All…
Refinance lending fell 36% from Q1 to Q2 2022, eclipsing increases in other lending areas, according to ATTOM’s second-quarter 2022 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report. The report found that 2.39 million mortgages secured by residential property were originated in Q2 2022, down 13% from Q1 and 40% YOY. This is the fifth consecutive quarter of falling originations and the biggest annual drop since 2014. Though purchase originations and home-equity lending actually increased 8% and 35%, respectively, they were heavily outweighed by the double-digit refi drop. The total number of mortgages issued was down 13.2% from Q1 and 40% YOY, dropping at their fastest pace in eight years. Lenders issued $807.8 billion worth of mortgages overall in Q2, down 11%…
Affordability improved in July, with the national median payment applied for by applicants falling to $1,844 from $1,893 in June, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported. MBA’s Purchase Applications Payment Index (PAPI) fell for a second consecutive month, down 3.8% to a reading of 157.7. PAPI measures monthly payments across time and relative to income, so this reading indicates that payments on new mortgages accounted for a smaller share of a typical person’s income. The improvement can be attributed to lower mortgage rates and less competition as more potential buyers are priced out of the market. Rates dipped to 5.13% last week, though they are back up this week. Additionally, purchase demand has declined sharply this year. Overall loan application…
Following moderating mortgage rates, pending home sales slipped only slightly in July, down 1% from June. The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index posted a reading of 89.8 last month. A reading of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. Pending sales were down 19.9% YOY, slipping from last month’s 20% YOY reading. It was the second consecutive month of decline and the eighth in the last nine months. “In terms of the current housing cycle, we may be at or close to the bottom in contract signings. This month’s very modest decline reflects the recent retreat in mortgage rates. Inventories are growing for homes in the upper price ranges, but limited supply at…
Mortgage loan application volume fell 1.2% last week to a 22-year low as the 30-year fixed rate rose to its highest point in almost a month, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased by 1.2%. The adjusted purchase index fell 1% while the unadjusted purchase index dropped 2% and was 21% lower YOY. The refinance index dropped by 3% and made up 31.1% of total applications, down 83% from the same time last year. ARM activity fell to 6.5% of total applications. “Last week’s purchase results varied, with conventional applications declining 2% and government applications increasing 4%, which is potentially a sign of more first-time homebuyer activity.…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The new executive vice president and chief operating officer at LendArch says they can enable lenders to optimize the mortgage experience from start to finish by digitalizing the real estate financing process. Karthik Kumar has 25 years of experience in the industry. He worked for Tata Consultancy Services from 2004 to May of this year. Citigroup and Standard Chartered Bank are among his previous employers, according to a press release. Kumar shared his excitement about the new position during a recent interview with The Mortgage Note. “I am in a company that is capital adequate, that has given me all of the empowerment to create, to experiment, in a way, to transform, to disrupt, so I am…
