General World News

Non-QM lender Citadel Servicing rebrands as Acra Lending

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Citadel Servicing Corporation (CSC), one of the country’s largest non-QM lenders, is rebranding as Acra Lending (Acra). The change is effective Monday. “We are excited to rebrand our business as Acra Lending to reflect the substantial time and resources we have dedicated to internalizing customer feedback, fine tuning our financial and operating model, and investing […]

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Nobel laureate Paul Krugman predicts a swift, sustained economic recovery once vaccines are rolled out

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Summary List Placement Paul Krugman expects the US economic recovery from the pandemic to be “much faster and continue much longer than many people expect,” he said in a recent New York Times column. The Nobel Prize-winning economist predicts mass vaccination, pent-up demand, greater household savings, technological progress, and the Biden administration’s backing to fuel […]

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White House economic advisor breaks with Trump and says he’s ‘not so sure we need this massive stimulus bill’

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Summary List Placement Stephen Moore, an economic advisor to President Donald Trump, is arguing against a “massive stimulus bill,” according to The Hill. In an interview with businessman John Catsimatidis on his WABC 770 AM radio show, Moore said the economy’s recovery is not dependent on the pandemic legislative relief package. It will recover “without […]

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Lindsay Graham slammed Mitch McConnell for delaying $2,000 stimulus payments: ‘Going from $600 to $2,000 doesn’t make you a socialist’

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Summary List Placement Sen. Lindsay Graham on Friday urged the Republican-led Senate to avoid delaying passing a bill that includes $2,000 direct checks to Americans, a move that’s been shut down by the top leaders in the upper chamber. In a Thursday floor session, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said increasing stimulus checks from $600 […]

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Mortgage rates remain at record-low levels

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After falling to the lowest rate in Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey’s near 50-year-history last week, the average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan remained at a survey-low 2.67% this week. Last week’s announcement of a 2.67% rate broke the previous record set on Dec. 3, and was the first time the […]

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The case against CSBS proposed regulations for nonbank servicers

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In October, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors made a controversial move to issue a final rule with proposed prudential standards for nonbank mortgage servicers – standards that, if enacted, have some stakeholders worried. The proposed rule addressed capital, liquidity, governance, policy related to entity survivorship and more. But now, the Urban Institute is warning […]

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$600 stimulus checks could be sent out as early as this week, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin

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Summary List Placement Christmas could be coming late for many Americans, with $600 stimulus checks to be direct deposited in their accounts as early as tonight, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday. Paper checks could be mailed out as early as Wednesday, he added. Included as part of the $900 billion coronavirus relief package […]

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Here’s what mortgage forbearance looked like in 2020

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As the coronavirus began sweeping through the U.S. in March, many states issued shut-down orders for businesses, putting as many as 40 million people out of work by May. On March 27, Congress passed the CARES Act to offer economic relief to those affected by the shut-downs, expanding unemployment benefits and offering mortgage forbearance to homeowners with mortgages backed […]

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Tech Rundown: Black Knight, Blend and Evolve Mortgage

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With 2020 finally coming to a close, several companies wrapped up this unprecedented year for housing with some brand-new mortgage tech for 2021. Data and analytics giant Black Knight made moves in the secondary mortgage market again, launching its Mandatory Analytics dashboard that will allow investors to analyze and benchmark their actions on the secondary […]

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Trump’s delay in signing the stimulus bill could keep $5.9 billion from unemployed Americans

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Summary List Placement On Sunday, President Donald Trump finally signed the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package and $1.4 trillion omnibus package funding the government and avoiding a shutdown. While many of the new law’s provisions will help support individual, businesses, and communities across America, Trump’s delay in signing the bill for nearly a week after it […]

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Trump just cost jobless workers one week of federal unemployment assistance after he failed to sign the relief bill by midnight on Saturday

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Summary List Placement President Donald Trump did not sign the latest coronavirus relief legislation by midnight on Saturday, a move expected to cost jobless workers at least one week of $300 federal unemployment benefits. Trump had suggested he might reject the $900 billion stimulus package, which passed in both chambers of Congress earlier this week, […]

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Merry Christmas: Mortgage rates reach another record low

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The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell one basis point this week to 2.66% – the lowest rate in the Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey’s near 50-year history. This week’s mortgage rate broke the previous record set on Dec. 17. With this week’s record drop, there have now been 20 consecutive weeks when […]

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FHFA extends multifamily forbearance through March 31

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Multifamily property owners who are struggling to make mortgage payments due to the coronavirus pandemic now have a reprieve through the end of March for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced on Wednesday. Forbearance options for multifamily mortgages backed by the GSEs were set to expire on […]

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Stop lying about the relief bill

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Summary List Placement I have had it with the nonsense that so many people are spouting about the much-needed COVID relief package that President Donald Trump is, at least implicitly, threatening not to sign into law. Specifically, I have had it with the meme that the package is “just $600.” Direct payment checks are a […]

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Meet post-pandemic Gen Z, the most unemployed generation which is now in danger of repeating millennials’ struggles

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Summary List Placement 2020 has been a wild ride, especially for Gen Z. The generation, the oldest of whom turned 23 this year, has been grappling with the pandemic during pivotal life stages. Younger Gen Zers are at a point in their adolescence when forging social relationships is central to identity formation — something difficult […]

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Mortgage applications increase for second straight week

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Borrowers looking to refinance their VA and FHA loans contributed to another uptick in mortgage applications for the week ending Dec. 18, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage applications jumped 0.8% a week after the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped five basis points to 2.85%, the trade group noted. The 30-year […]

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Trump asks Congress for $2,000 stimulus checks, criticizing COVID-19 relief package he was expected to sign

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Summary List Placement President Donald Trump is belatedly criticizing the COVID-19 stimulus package that the White House earlier suggested he would support. In a video tweeted Tuesday night, the lame-duck president conflated the $900 billion coronavirus relief measure with a $1.4 trillion omnibus measure, to which it was attached, funding the federal government, making it […]

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Movement Mortgage invests $200M into charter school network

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Retail lender Movement Mortgage has invested $200 million to expand its nonprofit Movement Foundation, and to accelerate the development of its growing charter school network. The investment will also aide in the development of adjacent affordable housing and health clinics in Central America, the company said in a statement this week. Movement Foundation uses dividends from […]

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US consumer confidence unexpectedly falls to lowest since August as COVID-19 restrictions escalate

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Summary List Placement US consumer confidence dashed expectations in December as soaring COVID-19 cases and warnings of full lockdowns cut into economic outlooks. The Conference Board’s index of consumer confidence fell to 88.6 this month from 92.9, according to a Tuesday press release. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected the gauge to climb to 97. The […]

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Senate approves the $900 billion coronavirus relief package, sending it to Trump’s desk for his signature

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Summary List Placement The Senate approved the $900 billion federal rescue package on Monday evening, clearing the way for the legislation to reach President Donald Trump’s desk for his expected signature. The chamber passed it with a vote margin of 91 to 7, with those opposed made up of strongly conservative Republicans. The House of […]

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House Democrats pass $900 billion stimulus plan with direct payments and federal unemployment benefits, clearing the way for a Senate vote

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Summary List Placement House Democrats passed the long-awaited $900 billion stimulus plan, sending it to the Republican-controlled Senate for a vote on Monday evening. The bill was passed overwhelmingly 359 to 53. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday morning that while she supported the package, she wanted additional aid spending once President-elect Joe Biden takes […]

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MBA: Forbearance rate ticks up to 5.49%

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The U.S. forbearance rate measuring the share of mortgages with suspended payments increased for the second time in nearly six months from 5.48% to 5.49%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. According to Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice president and chief economist, more borrowers are seeking relief as restrictions on businesses and rising COVID-19 cases are triggering layoffs […]

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Servicers likely to keep foreclosures low in 2021

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After nearly 40 million people became unemployed by May because of COVID-19, the housing industry, borrowers and the Federal Reserve quickly realized that without ample aid, things could quickly turn sour. However, servicers leveraged the lessons learned from the last recession to help avoid a catastrophe, synergistic technology and a blanket of forbearance large enough […]

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Treasury Secretary Mnuchin expects direct stimulus checks to be released next week, says he ‘couldn’t be more pleased’ about deal

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Summary List Placement Congressional leaders on Sunday reached an agreement on a $900 billion stimulus deal after months of legislative gridlock. The measure includes a second round of direct payments of up to $600 for qualifying adults and children. Mnuchin told CNBC on Monday morning that he “couldn’t be more pleased” with the legislation and […]

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Congressional leaders strike a long-awaited stimulus deal: $600 checks and $300 federal weekly unemployment benefits for Americans

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Summary List Placement Congressional leaders on Sunday struck a long-awaited deal on a $900 billion federal rescue package, clearing final policy hurdles and paving the way for passage amid an especially dark stretch of the pandemic. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the announcement from the Senate floor on Sunday afternoon. “The four leaders of […]

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Congress is preparing Sunday votes on a $900 billion relief package, but remaining obstacles could push final passage into Christmas week

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Summary List Placement Lawmakers are setting the stage to hold back-to-back votes Sunday on a $900 billion federal rescue package. But both parties still haven’t brokered a broader deal and several policy obstacles remain, which could still push final passage into Christmas week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill on Sunday that […]

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Chuck Schumer suggests Congress could vote on $900 billion stimulus package on Sunday after lawmakers reportedly break stalemate on Fed lending

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Summary List Placement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that negotiators were making progress and Congress could vote on a $900 billion stimulus package as early as Sunday.  Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill late Saturday night, Schumer said Republicans and Democrats were “getting very close” to a deal.  “If things continue on this path […]

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12 charts show the wild ride US employment took in 2020 — and just how far we still have to go to recover

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Summary List Placement The pandemic has had a devastating toll on millions of Americans this year, putting many families in difficult financial situations. Lockdowns, pandemic-related closures, and the spread of the disease itself have put millions of Americans out of work and uncertain about when they will find a new job. Millions of households are […]

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‘A little bit of whack-a-mole’: Here are the 3 major hangups between Republicans and Democrats as stimulus negotiations drag on

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Summary List Placement Republicans and Democrats are struggling to settle longstanding policy differences in negotiations over what’s expected to be a $900 billion emergency spending package.  “It’s a little bit of whack-a-mole, you know, whack it here and something else pops up,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranked Republican, told reporters on Capitol […]

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UWM’s IPO is now scheduled for January

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United Wholesale Mortgage’s (UWM) much-anticipated Wall Street debut is expected to take place on Jan. 22, 2021, the company told HousingWire late Thursday. UWM, the nation’s second-largest mortgage originator by volume, is going public through a merger with a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company headed by businessman Alec Gores. The merger, announced in September, could […]