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Credit union trade group backs proposed CFPB rules on PACE loans

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The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) late last week released two comment letters expressing the association’s agreement with proposed rules on bolstering borrower protections for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for home renovations. A CUNA letter was aimed at expressing its support to financial services companies, with an additional letter adding its individual comments […]

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Pee-wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dies of Cancer at Age 70

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 Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died. Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement. “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been […]

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Rocket hires fintech exec Varun Krishna as new CEO

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Rocket Companies announced major leadership changes on Monday.  The company appointed Varun Krishna, a veteran in the financial technology world who held executive positions at Intuit and PayPal, as its new CEO. In addition, Bob Walters has informed the board of directors of his intention to retire from his role as CEO of Rocket Mortgage and president and Chief Operating Officer […]

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‘Barbie’ Tops Box Office Again, ‘Oppenheimer’ in 2nd Place

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A week later, the “Barbenheimer” boom has not abated.  Seven days after Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” conspired to set box office records, the two films held unusually strongly in theaters. “Barbie” took in a massive $93 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Oppenheimer” stayed in second with a […]

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What happened to the summer housing market?

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As we can see below, Tracking housing inventory this summer is like watching a zombie slowly walking on the beach. Last week inventory growth dropped and new listing data declined again. Strong labor data pushed up mortgage rates and purchase applications fell week to week. Weekly active listings rose by only 4,988 Mortgage rates rose […]

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Millions of Shiite Muslims Mark Mourning Day of Ashoura

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TEHRAN, Iran — Millions of Shiite Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world on Friday commemorated Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith. In Afghanistan, the Taliban cut mobile phone services in key cities holding commemorations for fear of militants targeting […]

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The Agency ventures into core services

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Mauricio Umansky‘s residential brokerage The Agency is venturing into core services. Through partnerships with Bubble Insurance Solutions and New American Funding, real estate agents at The Agency will have access to mortgage lending services and insurance services for their clients. With Bubble Insurance Services, The Agency is launching its own affiliate insurance service, Agencia Insurance […]

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Former Sprout employees move to protect $3.5M settlement 

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Ex-workers took action in a New York court this week to ensure that a $3.5 million settlement with Sprout Mortgage for unpaid wages goes through. It follows a request from the shuttered lender to halt the agreement due to an involuntary bankruptcy petition filed by three creditors.    New Wave Lending Group, JMJ Financial Group and EF Mortgage filed on July 5 an […]

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OJO promotes Chris Heller to president

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Austin, Texas-based OJO promoted industry veteran Chris Heller to president while Jerimiah Taylor will move into the chief real estate officer role that Heller held. The moves come amid OJO’s continued growth in 2023, which the company attributes to is OJO Pro+ offering. Heller, who has held leadership roles at Keller Williams and loanDepot‘s mellohome, […]

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Pennymac increases profits to $58M in Q2

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California-based Pennymac Financial Services increased its profits by 92% in the second quarter of 2023 from the prior quarter. Although the performance was propelled by its servicing portfolio – as occurred in previous quarters – mortgage production returned to profitability. The company reported on Thursday its net income came in at $58.3 million in Q2 2023, up […]

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Aurora to vote on Better.com merger proposal 

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About two years after Better.com announced its plans to go public via special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Aurora Acquisitions Corp., the fate of Better.com’s journey to IPO will be decided next month. “Aurora shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal (…) to approve and adopt the agreement and plan of merger […]

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Mortgage rates inch closer to 7%

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Mortgage rates rose slightly this week ahead of the Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee‘s rate hike. The 25-basis point increase to the federal funds rate was widely anticipated and priced in by capital markets. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, which focuses on conventional and conforming loans with a 20% down payment, shows the 30-year […]

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Portugal Beats Vietnam 2-0 for First World Cup Win

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Portugal’s Telma Encarnacao scored one goal and set up the other in a 2-0 win over fellow Women’s World Cup debutants Vietnam, sending the Southeast Asian side out of the tournament at Waikato Stadium on Thursday. Portugal is third in Group E with three points and will face the U.S. in their final group game […]

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Provocative Irish Singer Sinead O’Connor Dies at 56

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Sinead O’Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music, has died at 56. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead. Her family and friends are […]

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UWM expands DSCR offerings to real estate investors

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United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the country’s largest wholesale lender, expanded its debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loan options to four after launching its first product in March. Dubbed “Investors Flex,” the non-QM product for real estate investors, offered purchase and refinance loans up to $2 million that could be used to finance up to 20 […]

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Fed hikes rates amid general wave of optimism

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The Federal Reserve (Fed) raised the federal funds rate 25 basis points to the 5.25 to 5.5% range on Wednesday, its highest level in 22 years. While the markets have already “priced in” this rate hike, which was widely expected, most investors are already wondering what it would take for the central bank to lift […]

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Media Academy in Somalia Hopes to Empower Women Through Film

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Founders of the Somali Digital Media Academy say women’s involvement in the Mogadishu film industry is surging. Abdiaziz Barrow spoke to women who are contributing to the visual history of their country in this report from the Somali capital, narrated by Salem Solomon. Camera — Abdulkadir Zubeyr details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from […]

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Mortgage applications fell 1.8% ahead of FOMC meeting 

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As mortgage rates remained stubbornly high last week, hovering around 6.87%, mortgage applications fell from a week prior. For the week that ended July 21, mortgage applications fell 1.8% from the prior week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.  “Mortgage rates were essentially flat last week but remained high, with the 30-year fixed staying at […]

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US Rejoins UN Cultural and Educational Organization  

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First Lady Jill Biden Tuesday marked the U.S.’ return to the United Nations’ cultural organization after five years away, amid concerns that its absence has let China take a lead in key areas like artificial intelligence and technology education.  “I was honored to join you today as we raise the flag of the United States, […]

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Congo Beefs Up Street Security Ahead of Francophone Games

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Congo has stepped up security in the capital, Kinshasa, amid concerns about the safety of athletes taking part in the International Francophone Games starting this week, the government said.  Around 4,500 additional police backed by state security agents have been deployed ahead of the event, said Isidor Kwanja, the game’s coordinator.  Athletes will be personally […]

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Home prices in two regions are down from last year: FHFA

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Also released on Tuesday, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index indicated that home prices rose month-over-month for the fourth consecutive time in May. However, this decade-long rally in U.S. home prices could finally come to an end, said Robert Shiller, professor of economics at Yale University yesterday on U.S. house prices rose slightly in […]

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Home prices jump for a fourth straight month in May

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Home prices showed resilience in May as buyers took advantage of the relatively lower rates during that month, keeping the pressure on available inventory. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index posted a 0.7% month-over-month increase after a seasonal adjustment in May — marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase. The 10-city composite gained 1.1% and […]

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US Art Show Inspired by Lowriders

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The gravity-defying customized cars known as lowriders started out in Mexican American communities of the western United States and now have inspired lowrider clubs in Asia and South America. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns takes us to an art show inspired by lowrider design. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web source: […]

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2023 Comic-Con Showcases Diverse Voices

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Comic books have often been about tackling social issues and protecting the underdog. That may be why they are attracting a wide variety of unique voices, from comic creators to cosplayers. Genia Dulot reports from Comic-Con 2023 in San Diego, California. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web source: VOANews.Com

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The odds favor an FTC settlement of ICE-Black Knight deal

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) looks poised to settle on the merger deal with Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) and Black Knight, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) said in a note following the postponement of the preliminary injunction to August from this week. ICE and Black Knight’s agreement to sell its product and pricing engine unit […]

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Rithm to acquire Sculptor Capital for $639M

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Rithm Capital Corp., the real estate investment trust that operates NewRez, Caliber and several other businesses, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sculptor Capital Management Inc. for $639 million, the company announced on Monday.  The deal, if approved by regulators, will bring to Rithm Sculptor’s $34 billion of assets under management, including real estate, credit and multi-strategy investing spectrum. To […]

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 Young Designer Brings Upcycling to New York Fashion Scene 

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Jonas King from Brooklyn, New York is among a new group of designers who focus on revitalizing pre-owned garments and textiles. As Nina Vishneva reports, King takes someone’s trash and turns it into custom pieces. Anna Rice narrates the story. (Camera: Vladimir Badikov) details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web source: VOANews.Com

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U.S. Department of Education Strengthens Guidance to Improve Equal Educational Opportunity for Children with Disabilities

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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) today released updated policy guidance, which takes immediate effect, to ensure and strengthen the rights and protections guaranteed to children with disabilities and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web […]

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‘Barbie’ Crowned Box Office Queen, ‘Oppenheimer’ Soars in Historic Weekend

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“Barbenheimer” didn’t just work – it spun box office gold. The social media-fueled fusion of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” brought moviegoers back to the theaters in record numbers this weekend, vastly outperforming projections and giving a glimmer of hope to the lagging exhibition business, amid the sobering backdrop of strikes. Warner Bros.’ […]

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UK Band ‘The 1975’ Cancels Indonesia, Taiwan Shows after Malaysia LGBTQ Controversy 

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British band The 1975 said on Sunday they have canceled shows in Taiwan and Muslim-majority Indonesia, a day after Malaysia banned them from performing there after their frontman kissed a bandmate on stage and criticized the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws. “Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, it is impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows,” the pop […]