Government

Discouraging results in the May 2017 Employment Situation are leading experts to believe there could be a rate hike in 2017. Unemployment rates were fairly stagnant and though total nonfarm payroll increased, results were well under predictions. Wage growth showed no improvement. 

Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is gearing up for a big June. On the heels of a recent proclamation from President Trump, declaring the month “National Homeownership Month,” Dr. Carson hosted an academic forum at his agency earlier today. He’s also preparing to go before Congress next week to discuss Trump’s recent 2018 budget blueprint, which proposes a $6.2 billion cut from HUD’s funding.

Reverse mortgages are one of the most-complained about financial products for older Americans, with a new CFPB report showing servicing issues, communication problems, and difficulty changing loan terms as a common concern for consumers 62 and older. This group also reports issues with financial scams, confusion around deferred-interest credit cards, and being charged for unauthorized add-on products and services. Aging Americans are at a higher risk for financial exploitation, according to CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

In a recent radio interview, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said that with “the right mindset,” many Americans using HUD’s low-income housing subsidies could overcome their struggles. Carson discussed topics of poverty, housing, and the government’s role in both, just days after President Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint was released. The plan cuts $6.2 billion from the HUD budget, ends the Community Development Block Grant program, and slashes funding for the department’s rental assistance program.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has released its monthly index on mortgage interest rates, surveying 17 lenders and a total of 4,437 loans closed during the last 5 business days of April. Lenders report a decline of 14 to 15 basis points on all loan interest rates as well as a slight decline in the average loan amount. April marks the second straight month the FHFA’s survey has reported a drop in interest rates.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed a fast-track foreclosure law that will expedite the foreclosure process with the intent to reduce community blight, following the footsteps of a similar bill in Ohio. This bill could be the push other states need to move forward with their own fast track foreclosure bills. We hear from industry experts on the impact this bill may have.

The Court of Appeals rehearing of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took place Wednesday to determine the constitutionality of CFPB’s leadership structure. Previously brought by PHH Corporation in October, the initial decision by the court determined the CFPB was, in fact, unconstitutional. Wednesday’s hearing was an “en banc” review, previously agreed upon in February.

The Federal Reserve will release the minutes of its April meeting on Wednesday afternoon, and if industry experts are on track, they could point to another rate hike on the horizon. Regional Federal Reserve Presidents Neel Kashkari, Robert Kaplan and James Bullard have all weighed in on the issue. The Fed previously raised rates from 0.75 points to 1 in March.

Freddie Mac’s latest summary report reveals an increase in both its total mortgage portfolio and its mortgage-related securities. Its mortgage portfolio rose 0.5 percent over the year, while its mortgage-related securities and guarantees jumped by 2.1 percent. The government-sponsored enterprise has funded $127 billion mortgages year-to-date.

Several HUD programs are slated to be cut according to the recent budget proposal, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. According to HUD, the CDBG Program has not been effectively targeting the poorest communities and has not demonstrated a measurable impact on communities. Other programs are to be cut due as HUD states that State and local governments are better-positioned to serve their communities’ needs in place of these programs.