Patrick Harker

Fed’s Policies Take Center Stage At MBA Convention In Philadelphia

Posted on by TMN Editor
By KIMBERLEY HAAS The president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia knew he was facing a tough crowd when he took the stage during a Monday morning session at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual convention and expo. “I stand here this morning fully aware of the mood in this room and I am also fully aware of the way the actions we on the FOMC have taken over the past 18 months in our efforts to tame inflation to get it back to a 2% annual target have, in their own way, contributed to the current mortgage climate,” Patrick Harker said. Harker said he met with community members this summer to see firsthand the impacts that monetary…

Loan Applications Up, Though Refis Continue Trending Down

Posted on by TMN Editor
Mortgage loan application volume rose 1.4% from last week, though refinances once again fell, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly survey reported. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 1.4%. The seasonally adjusted purchase index rose 2%, while the unadjusted purchase index rose 51% and was 17% lower YOY. The refinance index fell 0,1% and was down 50% YOY. Refinances made up 64.1% of total applications, their lowest level in more than a month. Conventional refi applications are at their lowest level since January 2020. The survey attributed the drop in refinances to increasing interest rates. The 30-year fixed rate reached 3.52%, its highest level since March 2020, and the Fed signaled this week that…