Appraisal Institute News

Nov 06, 2019 12:30 PM

DOJ, HUD Ease Off False Claims Act, Eye More FHA Lending

The government will limit use of the False Claims Act against mortgage providers in pursuit of settlements related to Federal Housing Administration loans, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson told attendees at the Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Conference Oct. 28 in Austin, Texas, HousingWire reported. HUD wants to coax big banks back to FHA lending.

Nov 06, 2019 12:30 PM

Fed Cuts Interest Rates, But Says No More Reductions Coming Unless Economy Worsens

The Federal Reserve on Oct. 30 cut interest rates for the third time this year, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that monetary policy is in a good place and no further rate reductions would occur unless the economy gets worse, Reuters reported. In contrast, President Trump is advocating further rate cutting.

Oct 30, 2019 12:30 PM

Fannie, Freddie Shareholders Could Be "Wiped Out:" FHFA

Mark Calabria, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, told the House Financial Services Committee Oct. 22 that he’s willing to “wipe out” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders if necessary to protect taxpayers from another bailout, HousingWire reported. The government-sponsored enterprises have been in conservatorship since 2008.

Oct 30, 2019 12:30 PM

Supreme Court Will Hear Case on Constitutionality of CFPB

The Supreme Court announced Oct. 18 it will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and a decision is expected by June, CNBC reported. The case alleges that the structure of the CFPB gives its director too much power, in violation of the Constitution’s separation of powers clause.

Oct 30, 2019 12:30 PM

Global Banking Outlook Dims; Reinvention Required to Survive Downturn: Report

Approximately 60% of global banks are not generating returns on equity and need to reinvent themselves to survive the next downtown, according to a report released Oct. 21 by consulting firm McKinsey. The firm suggests such tactics as ramping up risk-management systems, identifying new customer bases and building out digital talent bases and data analytics.

Oct 23, 2019 12:30 PM

Fed to Expand Balance Sheet, but No Quantitative Easing

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Oct. 11 announced a plan for the Fed to expand its balance sheet by purchasing government-backed securities, but said the effort is not quantitative easing, The New York Times reported. The Fed’s previous quantitative easing policy ended in 2014 after accumulating $4.5 trillion in assets, including mortgage-backed securities.

Oct 23, 2019 12:30 PM

OCC Fines Citibank $30M Over Delayed Foreclosure Sales

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency fined Citibank $30 million over the lender’s failure to sell hundreds of foreclosed properties within the allotted 5-year timeframe, HousingWire reported Oct. 11. Federal regulations require banks to sell foreclosed properties within two to five years in order to expand housing inventory.

Oct 23, 2019 12:30 PM

Commercial Real Estate Executives Mostly Positive About Sector: Deloitte Survey

Commercial real estate executives from around the world who participated in a survey conducted by consulting firm Deloitte said they were mostly optimistic about sector performance during the next 18 months, MBA NewsLink reported Oct. 16. Nearly 75% of respondents said they anticipate increased transaction activity, but also increased borrowing costs.

Oct 16, 2019 01:56 PM

FEMA May Buy Millions of Properties in Flood-prone Areas

Only 43,000 properties at high risk of flooding have been sold to the government since 1989, but data released Oct. 9 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency showed that millions more may need to be purchased due to climate change, Bloomberg reported. The data also revealed that FEMA is unprepared for a massive, government-subsidized real estate buyout.

Oct 16, 2019 01:54 PM

CoStar to Acquire Hospitality Analytics Firm STR for $450M

CoStar Group announced Oct. 1 that it will acquire global hospitality and benchmarking firm STR for $450 million in cash, allowing CoStar to provide data and analytics on the $3 trillion hotel asset class. The deal is expected to close during the fourth quarter.