FHA Appraisal Update
Technology firms and appraisal management companies are ready for upcoming changes to Federal Housing Administration appraisal requirements. In addition, the government reminded FHA mortgagees and appraisers about its existing policies.

RESPA Rule Regulatory Reprieve
Mortgage lenders will get a break during the first few months after a new Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act rule takes effect.

DPA Blamed for FHA Shortfall
The Federal Housing Administration's capital reserve level has fallen below the federally mandated minimum -- and loans that utilized seller downpayment assistance were to blame for all of the shortfall. The administration called FHA's recent expansion temporary and committed to a reduced FHA role as private investment returns to the mortgage market.

Lower Conventional Originations Forecasted
The outlook for quarterly U.S. home loan production has weakened, though the forecast improved for loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

FHA Eases Condo Requirements
Under a new process, mortgagees approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can approve condominium projects themselves. HUD has also implemented some temporary provisions as it moves to support the condominium market.

US Bank Among 6 FHA Lenders to Face HUD Actions
Four Federal Housing Administration-approved lenders settled with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, while the agency hit two other approved mortgagees with $27,000 in civil money penalties. U.S. Bancorp's bank unit was among the disciplined firms.

Agency Issuance Tumbles
Agency issuance of fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities sank last month -- with volume down by one-third for MBS issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Government National Mortgage Association.

LOS Firms Report Rapid Growth
Two providers of loan origination systems have reported significant recent growth, with the increase in business at one of the firms attributed to its early adoption of features for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans. A third firm reported that 15,000 users have adopted its latest technology, while several others touted their LOS enhancements.