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First Federal Bank to acquire Watson Mortgage Corp.

Housing Wire

Florida-based First Federal Bank announced on Thursday that it struck a deal to acquire Watson Mortgage Corp., expanding its mortgage retail lending footprint in the communities in which it operates. Last year, the community bank originated about $435 million in mortgage volume, per mortgage data platform Modex.

Banks 417
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United Bank to consolidate its mortgage subsidiaries

Housing Wire

United Bank will consolidate its mortgage subsidiaries into one unified mortgage business amid the housing industry struggles with elevated interest rates. United Bank has been delivering mortgage services through three channels, including two mortgage subsidiaries — Crescent Mortgage Co.

Banks 400
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Fifth Third Bank signs on with ICE’s mortgage technology ecosystem

Housing Wire

Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-based regional bank, moved its origination and servicing operations to Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Mortgage Technology ’s end-to-end mortgage technology ecosystem, the companies announced on Tuesday.

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FDIC finds banks violated RESPA on mortgage brokerage payments

Housing Wire

Mortgage brokers ’ compensation is in the spotlight after a recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) test concluded that some financial institutions failed to prove that payments were “reasonably related” to the value of services provided. There are some caveats related to counseling services, referrals, and duplicative work.)

Banks 413
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Trustar Bank sells mortgage subsidiary to Archer

Housing Wire

Virginia-based community bank Trustar Bank sold its mortgage subsidiary to Archer Mortgage Holding Company, the companies announced on Thursday. According to its website, Trustar Bank offers 7/1 and 10/1 adjustable rate mortgages ( ARMs ), consumer construction loans and home equity line of credits.

Banks 416
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Banks report tightened lending standards for nearly all residential mortgages: Fed survey

Housing Wire

Banks reported having tightened lending standards across almost all categories of residential real estate loans over the fourth quarter of 2023 amid an elevated interest rate environment. banks said they saw weaker demand for all types of residential real estate loans except for government (46.2%) and subprime mortgage loans (41.6%).

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University Bank adds four reverse mortgage veterans to its HECM division

Housing Wire

University Bank ’s reverse mortgage division has added four key hires across different disciplines as it prepares to grow further in the reverse mortgage space. Both Droge and Olmos come to University Bank from Open Mortgage , which shuttered its own top 10 reverse mortgage lending division late last year.

Banks 436