Research

CDFI Fund: Public Comments Requested on FY 2020-2022 CDFI Program and NACA Program Applications

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the…

OCC: New Bulletin Outlines Key HMDA Data Fields for Full and Partial Reporters

Summary The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is issuing this bulletin (OCC BULLETIN 2019-12) to inform national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies (collectively, banks) about key data fields that the OCC has determined examiners will typically use to test and validate the accuracy and reliability of home mortgage loan…

CFPB: Report Released on First-Time Homebuying Servicemembers

Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report focusing on mortgages made to first-time homebuyers who are serving in the armed forces or are veterans. The Bureau’s report is the first time researchers have been able to provide a description and analysis of servicemembers’ mortgage choices and mortgage performance, both during and after…

FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Decreased in January 2019

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages decreased from December to January, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts. The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.60 percent for loans closed in late January, down 23 basis points from 4.83 percent in December. The average interest…

FHFA: U.S. House Prices Rise 1.1 Percent in Fourth Quarter 2018

U.S. house prices rose 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI).  House prices rose 5.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018.  FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for December was up 0.3 percent from November. The…

Census Bureau: New Data and Tools Apps to Be Unveiled at Technology Demo Day on March 1st

The U.S. Census Bureau will host technology industry and university teams to showcase 20+ new innovative tech tools at an interagency demonstration day created through a federal initiative called The Opportunity Project (TOP). These new tools address challenges such as using artificial intelligence to connect veterans with apprenticeships, promoting access to and interest in STEM…

FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Refinance Volume Decreases in Fourth Quarter 2018

Nearly 3.5 Million HARP Loans at Program Expiration The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed 245,620 refinances in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with 253,135 in the third quarter. FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report  also shows that 1,390 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program…

Federal Reserve: Speech | Strengthening the Community Reinvestment Act: What Are We Learning?

Strengthening the Community Reinvestment Act: What Are We Learning? Governor Lael Brainard At “Research Symposium on the Community Reinvestment Act” hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thank you all for participating in our Research Symposium on the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). I am happy to have an opportunity to learn from…

Federal Reserve: FEDS Notes | Are Disappearing Employer Pensions Contributing to Rising Wealth Inequality?

Are Disappearing Employer Pensions Contributing to Rising Wealth Inequality? John Sabelhaus and Alice Henriques Volz* The share of U.S. workers covered by a traditional employer-sponsored pension plan has declined dramatically over the past few decades. Fewer jobs today have any form of employer-sponsored retirement plan coverage, and those jobs that do have coverage are much…

CFPB: Latest List of Consumer Reporting Companies Published

You may know that your credit record affects your ability to get an affordable loan, a job, an apartment, or many other essentials of daily life. But, do you know where and how to actually request your credit report and what you can do once you order your consumer reports? Over the past few years,…