2021 shaping up to be a banner year for title insurance industry
The smallest of the big four title insurers, Stewart and Old Republic, posted the strongest third-quarter growth
by Matt Carter Dec 13
Ellie Mae vets form SPAC to acquire mortgage and real estate startups
Southport Acquisition Corp. seeking companies with $50M to $100M in revenues that are valued between $1B and $2B, the company said in an investor prospectus on Friday
by Matt Carter Dec 10
When lenders go wild: Loan officer brawl goes viral
A fight between 2 groups of mortgage professionals believed to be in Atlantic City for the Triple Play Realtor Convention and Trade Expo went viral, sparking criticism of the real estate industry
by Marian McPherson Dec 10
Better CEO Vishal Garg takes leave of absence after viral Zoom layoffs
CFO Kevin Ryan will serve as interim CEO as the mortgage company continues to pursue SPAC merger. Read Vishal Garg's full letter to employees here.
by Matt Carter Dec 10
A Florida community bank seeks to build nationwide mortgage business
Amerant Bank launched its mortgage joint venture with industry veterans who share a vision of a 'highly efficient, and profitable nationwide mortgage banking business.'
by Matt Carter Dec 10
Markets remain volatile, but mortgage rates stay the course
The average rate for a 30-year, fixed rate loan was 3.10% this week, according to Freddie Mac's latest lender survey
by Daniel Houston Dec 10
Digital mortgage lender Beeline completes Series A funding round
Latest funding round brings total raised since 2019 to $22 million
by Matt Carter Dec 9
Maxwell aims to help small lenders simplify mortgage document review
Maxwell Processor Edge uses machine learning to help loan processors tackle more work while also cutting loan approval times
by Matt Carter Dec 9
'I blundered': Better CEO apologizes to workers after layoffs go viral
Better CEO Vishal Garg has apologized to the mortgage company's staff, saying he failed to show adequate respect for the 900 former employees who were let go last week
by Daniel Houston Dec 8
The million-dollar question: Do $1M Freddie Mac mortgages conflict with affordable housing mission?
Redwood Trust, which issues 'jumbo' loans that are off limits to Fannie and Freddie, said in a new critique that costlier markets are better served by private lenders
by Matt Carter Dec 8
It's the end of the road for LIBOR mortgages
Regulators spell out rules for transitioning ARM borrowers to other indexes by 2023
by Matt Carter Dec 7
Porch launching 'pay-at-close' program for home inspections
Acquisitions also paving way for expansion into related software verticals including mortgage, title and home warranty
by Matt Carter Dec 6
Better CEO under fire after Zoom call layoffs go viral on TikTok
The online mortgage company is facing scrutiny from former employees and on social media, where a video of CEO Vishal Garg firing employees over Zoom drew thousands of reactions
by Daniel Houston Dec 6
Better lays off 900 employees, revamps terms of SPAC merger
Company says it's positioned for growth as lenders shift their focus from refinancing mortgages to providing purchase loans
by Matt Carter Dec 2
Drop in demand for mortgage refinancing hints at what's to come
Applications to refinance fell 41% from a year ago as rates increased for the third week in a row, according to The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey
by Matt Carter Dec 1
Fed still considering faster tapering of support for mortgages
Fed chair Jerome Powell says economy is 'very strong' and inflation now looks like more than a transitory issue
by Matt Carter Nov 30