The move comes as credit report costs are expected to rise by about 50% in 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year of increases, according to resellers who spoke with HousingWire. The rising costs are tied to reports that originate with FICO data and flow through the three major credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Pennymac said the fee waiver applies only to credit reports issued by the lender on new loans with application dates between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31.
Nikul is a significant hire who will be a transformational member of our leadership team, said loanDepot's founder and CEO, Anthony Hsieh. Not only does he bring an impressive track record of success from his years at LendingTree, but he also has a unique mix of fintech and public company experience that will serve us well. Hsieh continued, As we pursue what I believe is the biggest market opportunity I have ever seen,
Joining Evergreen Home Loans was an easy choice with great leadership, a powerful culture, and products that truly make a difference, Maness said in a statement. Evergreen's focus on delivering a WOW' experience and doing business the right way aligns perfectly with my values, and I'm excited to help grow our impact across the Carolinas. Scott brings the kind of proven leadership and integrity that drives Evergreen forward, said Robert Lipston, the company's executive vice president and head of production.
We'll still employ New York residents, and we'll still continue to do mortgage loans in New York, of course, the source continued. But we are going to eliminate our physical presence. And to the extent that we have leases, we are going to be subleasing those, a source close to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) told the news outlet.
This partnership with West Capital Lending is about equipping our bankers with world-class tools and resources so they can deliver truly personalized mortgage solutions to clients across the country, Younes and Dakroub said in a joint statement. At Mortgage Connections, we've built our reputation by forming deep, lifelong relationships with Realtors and clients. Partnering with West Capital allows us to preserve that identity even as we extend our reach well beyond Michigan, bringing that same high-touch, values-driven approach to new markets.
A carefully measured relaxation of mortgage lending criteria could open the door for more first-time buyers without triggering a significant rise in loan defaults, a leading banking and finance body has suggested. UK Finance's analysis indicates that a modest increase in lending, facilitated by reduced stress rates, could enhance mortgage accessibility, particularly for those entering the property market for the first time, without substantially increasing arrears.
Our perspective is that the holders of risk are the beneficiaries of lower costs and reduced risk, but it takes the whole ecosystem to participate. One thing about the Fannie Mae survey is the shift in business priorities from cost cutting to streamlining. Cost cutting and streamlining are related, but cost cutting carries a negative connotation does it mean cutting service, quality or jobs? For years, there was resistance and even regulatory hesitation.
For decades, the mortgage industry has relied on automation to reduce errors, standardize workflows, and cut loan turn times. Now, AI is enhancing those systems with real-time data interpretation, predictive modeling, and intelligent decision support. For the first time, we're seeing AI extend far beyond basic productivity tools. Lenders are using it to improve lead scoring, accelerate underwriting, enhance fraud detection, and even support post-close analysis.
