Refi Activity Strong Halfway Through 2012, Outlook Mixed Beyond the End of the Year
July 19, 2012
Record low interest rates and loosened underwriting guidelines have induced strong refinance activity during the first half of 2012. Industry participants agree that the refi boom will continue through the third quarter of 2012, but then predictions get hazy. During Wells Fargos earnings presentation for the second quarter last week, Timothy Sloan, a senior executive vice president and CFO at the bank, downplayed suggestions that refi activity has declined this month compared with June. The business is good and were optimistic about it, he said. Very optimistic, added...