Mortgage applications unchanged for week

The volume of residential mortgage applications was essentially unchanged for the week ended Dec. 26, even as the interest rates charged on mortgages continued to decline, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Washington.
DEC 31, 2008
The volume of residential mortgage applications was essentially unchanged for the week ended Dec. 26, even as the interest rates charged on mortgages continued to decline, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Washington. The Market Composite Index, a measure of loan application volume, was 1,245.7 last week, up incrementally from a seasonally adjusted reading 1,245.4 the week earlier. The week's results included an adjustment that accounted for the shortened week due to the Christmas holiday. Overall mortgage applications are up 155% compared to the same week in the year-ago period. In a sign that consumers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates, the MBA's four-week moving average for mortgage applications increased by a seasonally adjusted 10.3%. Interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.03%, down slightly from 5.04% the previous week. Meanwhile, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages had an average rate of 4.79%, down from 4.91%. One-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 6.15%, down from 6.36% the previous week.

Latest News

Advisor moves: FiNet practice Merrit Point tucks in $1B Truist team in Florida debut
Advisor moves: FiNet practice Merrit Point tucks in $1B Truist team in Florida debut

Elsewhere, a Commonwealth team in Massachusetts converts to Cetera, while Janney draws four former Wells Fargo advisors to its Radnor, Pennsylvania office.

Trader used firm ties to freeze $3.6 million, investors allege
Trader used firm ties to freeze $3.6 million, investors allege

Clients say he copied the boss on his emails - and now they can't touch their cash.

CFTC alleges North Carolina fund manager faked profits, lost $8.6 million
CFTC alleges North Carolina fund manager faked profits, lost $8.6 million

He wired millions to his own accounts and told investors the fund was winning.

OnePoint BFG taps RISR as advisors chase business-owner clients
OnePoint BFG taps RISR as advisors chase business-owner clients

The partnership arrives as most small business owners near retirement age still don't have a formal succession plan in place.

Trust & Will cuts staff amid restructuring, AI disruption
Trust & Will cuts staff amid restructuring, AI disruption

A spokesperson for the estate planning fintech cited AI's reshaping of the industry as Trust & Will restructures its business.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.