The refi boomlet lost steam after peaking in November. PennyMac overtook Freedom Mortgage at the top of the issuer ranking in January. (Includes two data tables.)

The Senate voted 55-44 to confirm Scott Turner as housing secretary, paving the way for the Trump administration to install new leadership at FHA and Ginnie Mae.

The pause was ultimately rescinded following court injunctions. In the meantime, participants in government-insured mortgage programs faced uncertainty.

VA sets return-to-office requirements for employees; Indecomm adds FHA underwriting; RHS interest rates increase; number of downpayment assistance programs grows.

With a new federal administration in charge, the MBA renewed its calls for reductions to FHA premiums. However, the Trump administration is unlikely to cut premiums.

The new policies were established days before the end of the Biden administration and won’t take effect until February 2026. The policies won praise from industry trade groups.

The fees in question related to mortgage payments made over the phone or online. HUD said accepting and processing mortgage payments is part of a servicer’s ordinary activities for which it is already paid.

Among the changes, FHA has reduced the required rental income history to 12 months from two years.

HUD gets acting secretary; FHA revises qualification requirements for single-family nonprofit program; exemption from hiring freeze excludes VA’s home loans program.

Endorsement activity involving traditional HECMs declined slightly and production of HECMs for home purchase increased during the third quarter. Mutual of Omaha remained the top HECM lender. (Includes three data tables.)