Brian Collins
NationalMortgageNews
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Past articles by Brian:
Nonbank mortgage employment gets a surprise bump
Employment in the nonbank mortgage lender and brokerage sector unexpectedly rose in February after several months of layoffs. → Read More
Manufactured housing giant endorses HUD's call for regulatory relief
The dominant player in manufactured housing lauded the Trump administration's review of construction standards, but other commenters worry the plan will undermine housing quality. → Read More
FHFA still eyeing 2019 for implementation of new credit score model
The annual progress report on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conservatorships reiterated that a new credit score model will likely not be operational until after the implementation of a new Single Security Initiative. → Read More
FHFA announces start date for new common mortgage security
After several years of preparation, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will start issuing a new, common mortgage-backed security starting June 3, 2019, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Wednesday. → Read More
Low Income Housing Tax Credit gets boost from spending bill
Lawmakers approved a measure to increase the program's funding by nearly $3 billion over four years. → Read More
Senate Dems criticize Carson over HUD enforcement practices
Senate Democrats accused Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and his agency of failing to enforce fair housing laws. → Read More
Critics of FHLB membership rule aren’t thrilled with prospect of repeal
A bill to allow captive insurance companies to be reinstated as members of the Federal Home Loan Bank System appears to be dividing the FHLB community. → Read More
FHA is making progress on False Claims Act concerns: Carson
HUD Secretary Ben Carson told lawmakers that overly rigid False Claims Act enforcement had forced lenders to suffer financially for what were just minor errors, but that lenders' fears of being sued were dissipating. → Read More
Ginnie Mae venture with Chicago FHLB crosses mortgage milestone
A mortgage program created by a 2015 partnership between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Ginnie Mae has securitized over $1 billion in government-backed mortgages, the partnership announced. → Read More
Legislative progress on flood insurance changes still elusive
As Congress moves quickly toward passing regulatory relief legislation, another financial services policy goal — long-term reform of the National Flood Insurance Program — remains stalled. → Read More
Agency proposes giving FHLBs more latitude on affordable housing funds
The Federal Home Loan banks could "design and implement" their own system for deciding how to allocate resources for affordable housing initiatives under the proposal by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. → Read More
Banks want in on tax reform plan to spur investment in distressed areas
Banking and affordable housing advocates are encouraged by a provision in the tax reform legislation that could increase investment in underserved communities by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes when they reinvest in federally chartered Opportunity Funds. → Read More
Carson praises affordable housing measures in tax bill
The secretary of housing and urban development also urged the Senate to approve Brian Montgomery to be the new Federal Housing Administration commissioner. → Read More
Could a spike in IRS budget solve income-verification problems?
Financial services groups are calling for more funding for the Internal Revenue Service that could fix flaws in the agency's system for verifying the income of mortgage applicants. → Read More
Industry hopes for revamp of HUD manufactured-housing rules
With manufactured housing growth still sluggish, industry advocates want the Department of Housing and Urban Development rules to be more in line with current building trends. → Read More
Freddie needs $312 million from Treasury after writing down tax assets
Freddie Mac posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $3.3 billion and will request $312 million from the Treasury after recent tax reform legislation forced it to write down the value of deferred tax assets. → Read More
Small nonbanks call for clearer exemption from CFPB audits
Nonbank mortgage firms are seeking formal assurance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that they will not become subject to surprise audits or enforcement without involvement of a state regulator. → Read More
Upbeat FHA outlook in Trump budget renews calls for premium reduction
The new budget proposal projects a very profitable Federal Housing Administration in fiscal year 2019, but there are no indications the FHA will reduce its mortgage insurance premiums anytime soon. → Read More
House clears bill to ease limits on QM points and fees
The legislation, a similar version of which passed in the last Congress, would give favorable regulatory treatment to certain loans even if real estate-related fees were paid to an affiliate of the lender. → Read More
Senate deal includes $64B for disaster relief efforts
Senate leaders have unveiled a budget agreement that includes $64.2 billion to help states and U.S. territories recover from last year's hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. → Read More