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As reflected by a weekly survey released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association, the number of mortgage applications filed by homebuyers declined 5.0 percent from the previous week. The survey showed a dip by 5.0 percent in mortgage loan application volume, as measured by the Market Composite Index, with a corresponding 4.9 percent decline on an unadjusted basis from the week ending July 22. The Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey reviews half of all residential mortgage applications.

Lending availability may be in the swings of an expansion, as loan structures and demand loosen, leading to more financing opportunities in the broader economy, according to a second-quarter survey released Wednesday by research firm Phoenix Management Services. The survey posted hopeful signs for an erstwhile tight credit supply, even as it anticipates continued volatility in home construction, real estate, and other markets. The survey used anecdotal and quantitative research.

Wells Fargo has a new leader for its consumer-lending business in Avid Modjtabai, and additionally, Wells confirmed that Mike Heid will take over as president of its mortgage unit. Modjtabai was formerly the head of Wells├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ó technology and operations, and his new role will encompass mortgages, home-equity, and student loans under the Wells Fargo Consumer Lending division.

Better credit and revenue health seem to be the influencing factors behind strong quarterly earnings reports from BOK Financial Corporation. The company├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós net interest revenue rose by nearly $4 million between the first and second quarters of this year, while revenue from fees and commissions also increased by over $4 million.

InHouse, Inc. will now be, in fact, in house with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, thanks to the company├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós new platform that will provide direct appraisal integration with the GSEs, enhancing compliance with submissions.

Fewer homebuyers purchased new single-family homes over June, the Census Bureau and HUD reported Tuesday, with sales falling to an annual rate of 312,000 from 315,000 the previous month. Economists say these numbers nonetheless reflect progress from February, when single-family sales hit a record low, while others point to a slowly vanishing foreclosure fleet. The report held that June sales amounted to 1.0 percent, plus or minus 12.5 percent, beneath revised May estimates, still 1.6 percent above estimates from June last year.

Landmark Mortgage Group has bragging rights in the Pleasanton, California region, having just been named the best mortgage company in the tri-valley area by Pleasanton Weekly. The magazine├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós annual Reader├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós Choice Awards named Landmark the top mortgage entity for the second consecutive year.

After a year of controversy, back-and-forth hearings, and battles on Capitol Hill, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau architect and advocate Elizabeth Warren will depart from the bureau and return to an endowed position at Harvard Law School come August. Date will assume responsibility for day-to-day affairs and operations at the Treasury Department. Last month Bloomberg News circulated reports that Obama would replace Warren, a polarizing figure on Capitol Hill, with the associate director.

In a statement released Monday, Michigan-based mortgage lender Shore Financial Services, Inc. announced its decision to appoint Susan Pelto, a regulatory compliance expert, its chief compliance officer. Alongside Pelto, the company advanced COO Kathy Welty to CRO, whereby she will now participate in a risk committee.

A Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index released Tuesday revealed slight bumps in home prices across composites collected for some 20 cities, with the nation's Capitol leading the way with an upward arc, even as existing-home sales flat-lined in June and single-family starts showed nominal signs of life. According to the index, 10- and 20-city composites jumped May over April by 1.1 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively, with only three in 20 assessments showing declines and Phoenix staying unchanged.