Mortgages

Even as Freddie Mac's survey put rates at their highest since December 2000, factors like rising oil prices and a government shutdown could slow the economy.

Credit ratings were cut on the highest number of commercial mortgage-backed securities in "recent memory" last week, according to strategists at Bank of America Corp.

A combination of economic and environmental factors are sending property and flood coverage premiums soaring, which can make costs insurmountable for some.

Since 2019, distressed loans have increased 77%, but it is just a small portion of the $691 billion currently outstanding.

Fewer of these mortgages are paying off, adding to the amount of credit on investors' books, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

The real estate investment trust arm of two affiliate mortgage-related companies could reduce other debt and finance purchases of loans, servicing or securities.

High mortgage rates and the lack of inventory for sale pushed the sector into a downturn twice recently - between May and November last year and in May of 2023 - according to First American

The impact on things like servicing rights would raise costs even for lenders that aren't banks, according to Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit. Others disagree.

The mortgages are part of a program that received congressional scrutiny earlier this year.

Decreased availability of bank capital for new commercial construction helped slow activity from the previous nine quarters, according to a new report.

Even though the average for the 30-year fixed loan declined for the second straight week, a buoyant economy will affect future movements, Freddie Mac said.

Purchase-loan activity dropped again to its most subdued level in close to three decades, while refinances saw their smallest numbers in eight months, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The reduction in employment followed a rise in rates this summer, but hiring has generally been stable since spring.

The customers were affected by an incident involving a Progress Software program used by Sovos Compliance.

The government-sponsored enterprises have consistently earmarked some distressed loans for community, nonprofit and minority investors. Certain Democrats want more.

The lender was accused in a recent lawsuit of failing to meet its obligations to underserved borrowers in lieu of wealthy clients.

The company in a court filing suggests it has funds available for its unsecured creditors, led by a private equity firm, major banks and a servicer.

An economic slowdown would deliver lower interest rates but tighter credit standards, while a "soft landing" for the economy wouldn't solve the low inventory problem, a new report said.

While a majority of current forborne borrowers sought relief for reasons related to COVID-19, servicers are seeing a growing share of cases involving natural disasters or personal financial issues, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

While the share is slightly lower than at the start of 2023, the market is not expected to slip back to lower pre-pandemic levels, CoreLogic said.