HW+ provides career-making insights and analysis for those in Mortgage, Real Estate and FinTech. This long-form digital content provides members with news nowhere else and digs deeper into the “why” behind the daily news cycle. To join the HW+ community, click here.
Rick Calle returns to loanDepot as chief strategy officer
Rick Calle has returned to loanDepot as chief strategy officer to oversee mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and revenue operations.
Optimal Blue antitrust case draws parallels to commission lawsuits, RealPage
The 81-page complaint claims that the lenders who share information about their loans on Optimal Blue are part of a “cartel,” and that it’s an example of “concerted action.”
Why title insurance is essential to secure, affordable homeownership
The Federal Reserve’s decision this month to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points was encouraging news for Americans eager to become homeowners. Although mortgage rates aren’t set by the Fed, they are impacted by its policy changes. Indeed, prior to — and in anticipation of — the Fed’s announcement, mortgage rates fell to their lowest level since October 2024, with the 30-year fixed rate dropping to 6.39% — spurring a 29% spike in mortgage loan applications.
FHFA’s Pulte files new criminal referral against Fed’s Cook over mortgage fraud accusations
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte issued a second criminal referral against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Thursday.
NAF targets reverse mortgage growth with ‘connective tissue’ marketing tactics
Unlike NAF’s multimillion-dollar forward mortgage campaign, “Hell Yeah You’re Buying a Home,” which was announced last month, the reverse-centric “Old Wives” campaign isn’t something you’ll find on major TV networks or streaming platforms.
Advalis CEO speaks on expanded FinCEN compliance platform
The platform is designed for title companies, escrow officers and settlement agents facing FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule.
Tech Pulse: Smart home tools for seniors; AI marketing for agents
With seniors now outnumbering children in many U.S. states, demand is growing for aging-in-place technology.