Mortgage credit availability increased in March, reaching its highest level since August 2022, as lenders modestly eased standards across conventional and government loan programs. That’s according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

The MCAI, which analyzes data from ICE Mortgage Technology, rose 1.1% to a reading of 108.3 in March. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012. A lower MCAI reading signals tighter credit, while a higher reading points to looser lending standards.

The Government MCAI, which includes Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of details ⇒