News

Bankruptcy filings in the U.S. finished an up and down year with a slight month-over-month increase in December, but were down overall year-to-date, according to AACER bankruptcy data reported by Epiq Systems. The number of bankruptcy filings nationwide crept up from 62,417 in November to 63,090 in December, a 1 percent increase.

The U.S. job market finished the year on a strong note as total nonfarm private sector employment increased by 241,000 during December, according to the ADP National Employment Report for December 2014.

While optimism—likely spurred by continuing job growth—is on the rise, the number of Americans whose household income has fallen off significantly over the last year picked up (hitting 14 percent), and a declining share expect their personal financial situation will improve in 2015.

President Barack Obama has announced his intention to nominate former Bank of Hawaii CEO Allan Landon to fill one of two available governor positions for the Federal Reserve System on its seven-seat board of governors, according to an announcement from the White House.

FHA raised premiums in response to its declining mortgage insurance fund, which forced the agency to take a $1.7 billion bailout in 2013. Since then, it has rebuilt its capital, spurring some commentators to call for a cut. In a statement, the White House estimated that the reduction will translate to a $900 increase in annual mortgage payments for first-time buyers, with existing homebuyers expected to see similar savings.

In California, mortgage software and services provider Ellie Mae announced the promotion of Jonathan Corr to the position of CEO.

Mississippi was the state with the highest percentage of non-current mortgages and serious delinquent mortgages in November, according to data released recently as part of Black Knight Financial Services' November 2014 “First Look” at mortgage data.

An Illinois court ruled on Tuesday that mortgages naming Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) as the mortgagee are valid and enforceable, according to an announcement from MERSCORP Holdings, Inc.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro is scheduled to speak at the National Press Club (NPC) luncheon on Tuesday, January 13, to address the state of the housing industry and what HUD's plans are for 2015, the NPC announced on Tuesday.

According to MountainView Servicing Group, which is acting as facilitator for the sale, the portfolio is entirely made up of fixed-rate and first-lien product and features low delinquencies. The latest offering is the fourth billion-dollar-plus portfolio to be offered through MountainView in as many months.