Appraisal Institute News | Appraisal Institute

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board Seeks Dismissal of FTC Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission announced Jan. 10 that it will hear oral arguments next month on motions filed by the FTC and the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. The LREAB in November filed a motion to dismiss the complaint filed against it by the FTC, while the FTC filed motions for partial summary judgment and for opposition to the LREAB's motion to dismiss.

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

FDIC Survey Finds Fewer High-risk Banks, Newer Credit Risks

About one in 10 banks are considered high credit risk, a significant drop from 2010 when 42 percent of banks were high-risk, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported Jan. 10 in its credit survey, according to ABA Banking Journal. However, the survey identified new credit risks, including some affecting commercial real estate.

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

Fed Mulls Significant Policy Changes

Markets are performing well, but Fed officials reportedly are concerned about another recession and are contemplating significant policy changes, including eliminating the 2 percent inflation target, CNBC reported Jan. 10. Another option under consideration: price-level targeting, where interest rates would remain lower for longer periods and avoid zero altogether.

Dec 06, 2017 12:30 PM

Bank Request for Appraisal Waiver has Huge Implications

A community bank in Tennessee has submitted a request to the Appraisal Subcommittee seeking a one-year waiver from appraisal regulation requirements to use a certified appraiser, the Appraisal Institute learned Nov. 29. If the waiver is approved, it would apply to all institutions, not just the requesting organization.

Oct 18, 2017 12:30 PM

FEMA Slow to Map Flood Risks, Cabinet Agency Reports

The Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to map flood risks in a timely manner, giving homeowners the false impression that they don't need flood insurance, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog, The Hill reported Oct. 9. FEMA currently has more than 240 mapping projects on hold.

Oct 18, 2017 12:30 PM

House Committee Considers Only Minor Changes to Dodd-Frank

When the House Financial Services Committee met Oct. 11, members discussed minor tweaks to the Dodd-Frank Act rather than the major changes suggested by President Trump, Bloomberg reported. The committee was slated to address about two dozen legislative proposals pertaining to financial regulations.

Oct 18, 2017 12:30 PM

Fed Minutes Reveal Anticipated Rate Hike Despite Low Inflation

Federal Reserve meeting minutes released Oct. 11 revealed that some Fed officials expressed concern about low inflation rates but that a December rate hike is still anticipated, HousingWire reported. The minutes also noted that the Fed has started selling the mortgage-backed securities it acquired as part of its quantitative easing program.

Oct 11, 2017 12:30 PM

FHFA Implores Congress to Act on GSE Reform

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt on Oct. 3 told the House Financial Services Committee that the capital buffer for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will reach zero in less than three months without congressional action on housing finance reform, HousingWire reported. Future losses could require a taxpayer bailout.

Oct 11, 2017 12:29 PM

Wells Fargo Refunding Improper Mortgage Fees

Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan on Oct. 3 told the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs that the bank would refund borrowers who were improperly charged fees for mortgage rate lock extensions, HousingWire reported. Approximately 110,000 borrowers were charged nearly $98 million in fees between September 2013 and this past February.

Oct 11, 2017 12:29 PM

Net Lease Cap Rates Decline during Third Quarter

Retail, office and industrial net lease cap rates declined during the third quarter, marking a change from the two previous quarters during which they recorded increases, according to commercial real estate firm The Boulder Group, Commercial Property Executive reported Oct. 4.

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