July 2025

Rocket profitable in Q2 in spite of weak spring market

Rocket Cos. returned to profitability in the second quarter even with a Spring home sales market which started off poorly, but has been gaining momentum month-by-month that should continue beyond September, company management said. During the quarter, the company reported net income of $34 million. This compared with a first quarter loss of $212 million. […]

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ICE plans upgrades to improve mortgage securities trading

​​Intercontinental Exchange touted Encompass wins in the second quarter and revealed coming technology upgrades that it expects to enhance mortgage bond trading in its latest earnings call.     The company’s mortgage technology unit reported growth on both a quarterly and annual basis, with operating income coming in at $11 million in the second quarter. Operating margin

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Trump asks bank CEOs to pitch on Fannie, Freddie stock offerings

President Donald Trump is bringing in bank leaders to meet with him one by one at the White House. Beyond the economic discussion, there’s a chance at a big payday for their firms.  Trump is asking for chief executive officers for their pitches on monetizing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including a major

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What lenders need to know about Zillow v. Compass

The real estate industry is watching the brewing legal battle between two major real estate players over the way homes are listed and sold.  Leading brokerage Compass filed an antitrust lawsuit last month against listing giant Zillow in a fight over exclusive property listings. It’s the latest tussle in the real estate agent space, a

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Trump to set new tariffs before midnight, White House says

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday imposing new tariff rates on trading partners that take effect Friday, the White House said.  The signing will take place “at some point this afternoon or later this evening,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a news briefing, adding that “Aug. 1,

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Anniemac expands into Florida with purchase of lender

Anniemac Home Mortgage is buying a small Florida-based shop, in a move that will grow its presence in the Sunshine State. Anniemac will acquire certain assets of Florida Funding, a firm based in Orlando. Since its founding in 2017, the Florida-based company has originated more than $600 million in loans, a press release claims. Details

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VA foreclosure prevention bill signed into law by Trump

A rule establishing permanent foreclosure protection measures for Department of Veteran Affairs borrowers was signed into law by President Donald Trump Wednesday, after a previous iteration of a federal servicing program expired earlier this year. The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which was introduced by Rep. Derrick Van Orden R-Wis., aligns servicing guidelines with

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Why mortgage rates are trapped in a narrow range

In a week marked by another Federal Reserve meeting, mortgage rates largely flatlined with the central bank’s decision surprising few.  The average 30-year fixed rate edged down to 6.72% as of July 31, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market survey. The average dropped 2 basis points from 6.74% a week earlier, and was

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Average mortgage payment dips, easing buyer strain

Homebuyers got some relief last month as they found themselves with slightly lower mortgage payments. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Purchase Applications Payment Index fell 1.8% month-to-month, an indication that borrowers are finding their mortgages more affordable. The index measures borrower affordability by looking at new monthly mortgage payments relative to income; a decline signifies that

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Freddie Mac lower Q2 income due to rising credit provisions

Freddie Mac’s net income declined 14% year-over-year in the second quarter, because it increased its provision for credit losses. Fannie Mae, when it reported earnings on Wednesday, cited a similar reason as contributing to its own second quarter drop off. Still, Freddie Mac reported net income of $2.39 billion, compared with $2.83 billion in the

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