December housing demand near 3-year high as spreads improve
Mortgage purchase applications hit a three-year high as improved spreads and lower rates drive 18 weeks of growth.
Federal Reserve
Auto Added by WPeMatico
Kevin Hassett is the rumored lead for Fed chair position
Kevin Hassett is the rumored frontrunner to become the next Federal Reserve chair as he aligns with Trump’s interest rate agenda.
With Powell set to move on, who are the candidates for the next Fed chair?
With Jerome Powell’s term ending in May, several candidates are in the running to become the next Federal Reserve chair.
Raphael Bostic to retire as Atlanta Fed president
Raphael Bostic, the first Black and openly gay regional Fed president, announced his retirement from the Atlanta Fed, effective in February 2026.
Trump proposes 50-year mortgage to help affordability
Trump supports 50-year mortgages to lower monthly payments, but longer terms reduce equity and aren’t currently allowed under the Dodd-Frank Act.
Another Fed rate cut to finish 2025? Not so fast
The odds that the Federal Reserve will cut benchmark interest rates again in December are still high — but not as high as they were before last week’s cut.
Mortgage spreads hit lowest level in years, keeping rates near 6%
Improved mortgage spreads have been key to lowering rates near 6% in 2025, enhancing the housing market’s stability.
Debate heats up around GSEs’ potentially larger role as MBS buyers
Overall, the perception is that having new buyers of MBS would be positive for the industry, although some question whether the GSEs would be the best actors to play this role.
Powell sends mortgage rates higher as he questions December cut
Mortgage rates rose by 14 basis points after the Fed cut rates, as Powell’s hawkish tone pushed back on December rate cut expectations.
Fed prepares to pivot balance sheet, with potential ripple effects for mortgages
A growing number of economists believe the Federal Reserve is close to announcing the end of its quantitative tightening (QT) program — a move that could have wide-reaching implications for the mortgage industry.