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☆ Anxiety Strikes $8 Trillion Mortgage-Debt Market After SVB Collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Matt Wirz | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Strains in the banking sector are roiling a roughly $8 trillion bond market considered almost as safe as U.S. government bonds. So-called agency mortgage bonds are widely held by banks, insurers and bond funds because they are backed by the mortgage loans from government-owned lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac . The bonds are far less likely to default than most debt and are easy to buy and sell quickly, a crucial reason they were Silicon Valley Bank’s biggest investment before it foundered.

Mortgage rates dropped significantly last week following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

☆ Mortgage giant Fannie Mae tackles climate risk, but changes to underwriting may take several years
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But the housing market currently doesn't price that climate risk into home values. The mortgage giant's chief climate officer, Tim Judge, says mortgage underwriting does not currently account for climate risk. To help, Judge is hiring climate risk modeling firms, such as First Street Foundation and Jupiter Intelligence, as well as others, to figure out just how to factor climate risk into home values and mortgage underwriting. First Street, for example, looks at climate risk from floods, fire and wind, and brings it down to an individual property level. But Fannie Mae is not yet rejecting any mortgages based solely on climate risk.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank sent shockwaves throughout the economy that have pushed mortgage rates down after several weeks of increases. But some investors believe no hike is also a possibility, which could push mortgage rates down even further. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

After five consecutive weeks of increases, mortgage rates finally dropped this week, according to Freddie Mac. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

☆ About Those ‘Safe’ Silicon Valley Bank Treasurys
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

One surprise for investors in the Silicon Valley Bank failure is that it didn’t hold exotic derivatives, structured debt products or other horrors that caused so much financial carnage 15 years ago. SVB held boring Treasurys and highly rated mortgage-backed securities in large quantities. Bad management and negligent oversight from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank played a role. But the politicians and regulators who supposedly fixed the financial system after 2008 share responsibility. The banking rules they introduced after 2008 made sovereign bonds such as Treasurys and the mortgage securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the coin of the realm for bank capital standards.

☆ These bond ETFs are having their best day in 2023 as investors seek safety
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A pair of exchange-traded bond funds popped Wednesday as investors flee stocks in search of safety. The Vanguard Total Bond ETF (BND) and the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) each leapt by as much as 1.4% Wednesday morning. Investors sought safety in Treasurys , with yields dropping as traders bought up the issues. Corporate issues in BND include Amazon , AbbVie and Alphabet , while AGG holds bonds from Morgan Stanley , Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase .

To help you get started, CNBC Select rounded up a list of the best mortgage lenders first-time homebuyers should consider. Types of loans offered: The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. Fees: Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees. Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees.

Banking giants Citi (C.N), Wells Fargo (WFC.N) and JP Morgan (JPM.N) were also 1%-3% higher in the pre-market. Japanese financial institutions have sufficient capital buffers to absorb losses caused by external factors, including risks caused by SVB's collapse, the Bank of Japan said. Traders currently see a 50% chance of no rate hike at that meeting, with rate cuts priced in for the second half of the year. The prospect of higher rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks", Ikeda added. We just ask for a little bit of time because of the volume," FDIC employee Luis Mayorga told waiting customers.

[1/2] Customers wait in line outside a branch of the Silicon Valley Bank in Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brian SnyderMarch 14 (Reuters) - Silicon Valley Bank's collapse continued to pound global bank stocks on Tuesday as investors fretted over the financial health of some lenders, despite assurances from U.S. President Joe Biden and other policymakers. The European banks index (.SX7P) fell 0.6% after posting its biggest percentage loss in more than a year on Monday. "Bank runs have started (and) interbank markets have become stressed," said Damien Boey, chief equity strategist at Sydney-based investment bank Barrenjoey. The prospect of higher interest rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks", Ikeda added.

"Bank runs have started (and) interbank markets have become stressed," said Damien Boey, chief equity strategist at Sydney-based investment bank Barrenjoey. A furious race to reprice interest rate expectations also buffeted markets as investors bet the Federal Reserve will be reluctant to hike next week. Traders currently see a 50% chance of no rate hike at that meeting, with rate cuts priced in for the second half of the year. The prospect of higher interest rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks." After marathon weekend talks, HSBC HSBA.L said it was buying the British arm of SVB for one pound ($1.21).

☆ Silicon Valley Bank 'conducting business as usual', new CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 13 (Reuters) - Silicon Valley Bank's new boss Tim Mayopoulos on Monday told clients that the lender is open and conducting business as usual, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The regulator transferred all deposits of Silicon Valley Bank to this newly created bridge bank and had said all depositors will have access to their money beginning Monday morning. In the letter to clients, Mayopoulos said that the bank will provide more information as soon as it was available. "I look forward to getting to know the clients of Silicon Valley Bank...I also come to this role with experience in these kinds of situations. I was part of the new leadership team that joined Fannie Mae in the wake of the financial crisis in 2008-09, and I served as the CEO of Fannie Mae from 2012-18," Mayopoulos added in the letter.

Mortgage rates have decreased somewhat over the past couple of days and are currently the lowest they've been in over three weeks. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

Flood insurance is expensive because flood recovery costs are expensiveOn average, most homes' flood insurance premiums fall between $700 and $800 annually for flood insurance. "It provides insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, a partnership between private insurers and the federal government," says Evan W. Walker, an attorney who regularly litigates flood insurance issues. However, a condo association's master insurance policy (the insurance covering the whole building) includes flood insurance. The NFIP might lower your flood insurance premiumsLight may be on the horizon if you've paid expensive flood insurance for your dream home. The National Flood Insurance Program is using a new way of calculating flood insurance costs as of 2021.

☆ Read the letter Silicon Valley Bank's new CEO sent to the bank's clients, addressing the bank's collapse and saying it's 'business as usual'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Silicon Valley Bank imploded last week when depositors triggered a bank run, after the bank tried and failed to raise capital. The veracity of the letter, which was widely circulated online, was confirmed by Silicon Valley Bank executive Gerald Brady. Over the weekend, the FDIC transferred all deposits and substantially all assets of the former Silicon Valley Bank to a newly created, full-service FDIC-operated 'bridge bank' in an action designed to protect all depositors of Silicon Valley Bank. I know how important Silicon Valley Bank has been and continues to be to the success of its clients and the innovation ecosystem. Thank you and best regards,Tim MayopoulosCEO, Silicon Valley Bank, N.A.

☆ New SVB CEO urges top venture capital clients to move deposits back
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Krystal Hu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 14 (Reuters) - Silicon Valley Bank's new Chief Executive Tim Mayopoulos on Tuesday urged the failed bank's top venture capital clients to move their deposits to its newly created bridge entity, people who attended a virtual meeting with him said. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) appointed the former Fannie Mae CEO to head Silicon Valley Bridge Bank N.A. Mayopoulos told clients deposits at the bank were now among the safest of any U.S. banks or institutions, attendees at the meeting said. Hemant Taneja, CEO of venture capital firm General Catalyst, recommended on Tuesday that its clients who had banked with SVB keep or return at least 50% of their capital to the bank. He has also served as general counsel of Bank of America, and held senior roles at Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

☆ U.S. FDIC shifts SVB deposits to new bridge bank, names CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A sign for Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) headquarters is seen in Santa Clara, California, U.S. March 10, 2023. In a statement, the FDIC said all customers of SVB would automatically become customers of the bridge bank, which will hold "normal banking hours and activities, including online banking." The regulator has also tapped former Fannie Mae head Tim Mayopoulos as the chief executive officer of the newly created entity, named Silicon Valley Bank N.A., it said. "All depositors of the institution will be made whole," FDIC said, adding that no bank losses would fall on U.S. taxpayers. "These actions will protect depositors and preserve the value of the assets and operations of Silicon Valley Bank, which may improve recoveries for creditors and the DIF," it added.

Mortgage rates increased again last week, and they could continue rising over the next few months. Just keep in mind that HELOC rates are variable, so if rates start to trend up further, yours will likely increase, as well. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's Refinance RatesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

☆ Mortgage rates rise for the fifth-straight week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates edged further toward 7%, rising for the fifth consecutive week, as the Federal Reserve suggests rate increases will continue amid stubborn inflation. “Mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory as the Federal Reserve signals a more aggressive stance on monetary policy,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. Housing market chilledRising mortgage rates have put a damper on the spring selling season. While applications for a mortgage rose slightly last week after three weeks of declines, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, activity is muted.

☆ Some of Wall Street's top commentators fear a recession is at hand as rates set to go higher for longer
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Jerome Powell reiterated his warning that the Fed's more than ready to keep jacking up rates if necessary. Inflation hasn't gone away as easily as policymakers want, and Powell thinks that may just warrant a steeper policy path. That's not the most reassuring assessment of the situation as some of the biggest commentators in markets are saying a recession is right around the corner. The exec also broke down how to use the strategy in today's stock market to make extremely cheap bets that garner "through the roof" returns. Fannie Mae's Home Purchasing Sentiment Index dropped this week while mortgage rates moved higher.

☆ There’s a Silver Lining for Mortgage Companies in a Bleak Market
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Telis Demos | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage originators such as Rocket Cos. and UWM Holdings have recently reported continuing drops in home-loan volumes for the fourth quarter. There is good news and bad news for big mortgage originators: The market is shrinking. Originators that make mortgages and sell them into the market such as Rocket Cos. and UWM Holdings have recently reported continuing drops in home-loan volumes for the fourth quarter. That was to be expected, as overall U.S. single-family home-mortgage originations dropped from over half a trillion dollars in the third quarter to about $400 billion in the fourth quarter, according to figures compiled by Fannie Mae. And though mortgage rates this year have been below the highs they reached last year, Fannie Mae’s recent forecast still is for under $1.7 trillion in single-family mortgage originations in 2023, versus nearly $2.4 trillion in 2022.

☆ Housing market sentiment is nearing all-time lows as Americans fret over mortgage rates and employment outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

US housing-market sentiment is edging back to an all-time-low, according to Fannie Mae. That's because Americans are worried over rising mortgage rates and the unemployment outlook. Markets are expecting more interest rate hikes from the Fed, which could help keep mortgage rates elevated. That's partly because of the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hikes to control inflation, which have influenced mortgage rates to hover around twenty-year high. Markets are now expecting even steeper rate hikes from the Fed after Chairman Jerome Powell's hawkish testimony to lawmakers this week, with expectations for a 50 basis-point increase in March rising after his remarks.

Mortgage rates increased rapidly throughout February, though they appear to have calmed somewhat over the past few days. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect.

☆ Homes might be more affordable in 2024, but that doesn't mean you should wait to buy one
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Forecasts are a mixed bag , but most expect prices to either remain flat or continue cooling by 1% to 10% from 2022's highs. However, with the economy expected to cool and possibly dip into a recession , many recent forecasts expect rates to drop to 6% or below in 2024, including a Fannie Mae projection of 5.2%. With U.S. home prices dropping and mortgage rates projected to dip sometime in 2024, homebuyers might be wondering if they should wait until next year to land a more affordable deal. "Returning to mortgage rates of 3% or 4% is not going to happen, in my view," says Yun, who points out that historically rates have been higher. Plus, if "mortgage rates go back down to that level, people can always refinance their mortgages," says Yun.

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