Refinance

The mortgage giants were criticized earlier this month for a plan to charge an "adverse market fee" to protect against losses resulting from the pandemic.

Lenders initially won't be able to pass on the cost of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's "adverse market fee" to borrowers whose rates on GSE-backed mortgages and refinances are already locked in.

Dana Wade, a former OMB official, says a strong capital footing will help the Federal Housing Administration weather an uptick in delinquencies and ensure the mortgage market is viable once the economy recovers.

But the 30-year fixed remains below 3%, which should continue to support increased demand.

The new “adverse market fee” for refinanced mortgages resembles steps the companies took to combat the 2008 mortgage crisis. But critics charge it isn’t necessary and will hurt borrowers’ ability to tap into low rates.

Conditions have improved for the first time since November.

Rates are forecasted to remain at the current low levels for the rest of 2020, driving steady refinance volume.

Mortgage applications increased 4.1% from one week earlier as consumers continued to pursue both purchases and refinancings even as conforming rates rose from their record lows, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency will extend the same GSE benchmarks of the past three years into 2021.

Strong growth in refinance volume following several weeks of so-so activity drove a 5.1% week-to-week increase in mortgage applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.