﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>Announcements</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com</link><pubDate>Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:06:55 GMT</pubDate><description /><item><title>2010 COMPENSTION SURVEY IS COMPLETE</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/2010-compenstion-survey-is-complete</link><pubDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:50:56 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Tami Coffey</dc:creator><description><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>MSA is proud to announce the completion of the 2010 Production based Compensation Survey</STRONG>. 
<P>17 companies, with a wide variety of models, are profiled in the Survey&nbsp;and include&nbsp;firms with annual production volumes ranging from $1 billion to $20+ billion. Positions included in the Survey are production and production leadership roles, from Loan Officer through Division / District Manager. The Survey also addresses Minimum Production Standards and the biggest industry issues of 2010. 
<P>&nbsp;
<P>For more information or to reserve a copy of the Survey, please contact Tami Coffey at MSA at 214-733-8989 or send an email to: <A href="mailto:tcoffey@MSArecruiting.com">tcoffey@MSArecruiting.com</A>.</P>]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/2010-compenstion-survey-is-complete</guid></item><item><title>REMINDER: Many Eyes Watching Over the Mortgage Industry</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/reminder-many-eyes-watching-over-the-mortgage-industry1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:15 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[This just came across my Reuters newsfeed: WASHINGTON, Jan 8 ( Reuters ) - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said a new inter-agency task force was focusing on halting fraud involving mortgages , securities, economic stimulus programs and the government&#39;s bailout programs. In remarks prepared for delivery at a civic group meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida, Holder said the task force was also targeting financial discrimination. &quot;To those who see victimization of others as an avenue to wealth, take notice: If you fabricate a financial statement, if you propagate an investment scheme, if you are complicit in an act of financial fraud, you are writing your ticket to jail,&quot; Holder said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is not new news....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01082010_mortgage_oversight.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/128204/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=128204" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/reminder-many-eyes-watching-over-the-mortgage-industry1</guid></item><item><title>Fed MBS Program Update: 89% of Funding Used</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fed-mbs-program-update-89-of-funding-used1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve today reported on their weekly purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). In the holiday shortened work week between December 31, 2009 and January 6, 2010, the Federal Reserve purchased $14.50 billion agency MBS. In those four days the Federal Reserve sold $2.50 billion (supported the roll market) for a net total of $12 billion purchases. The goal of the Federal Reserve&#39;s agency MBS program is to provide support to mortgage and housing markets and to foster improved conditions in financial markets more generally. Only fixed-rate agency MBS securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are eligible assets for the program. The program includes, but is not limited to, 30-year, 20-year and 15-year securities of these issuers. Since the inception...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01072010_fed_agency_mbs_purchases.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127977/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127977" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fed-mbs-program-update-89-of-funding-used1</guid></item><item><title>Fed MBS Program Update: 89% of Funding Used</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fed-mbs-program-update-89-of-funding-used</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:36 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve today reported on their weekly purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). In the holiday shortened work week between December 31, 2009 and January 6, 2010, the Federal Reserve purchased $14.50 billion agency MBS. In those four days the Federal Reserve sold $2.50 billion (supported the roll market) for a net total of $12 billion purchases. The goal of the Federal Reserve&#39;s agency MBS program is to provide support to mortgage and housing markets and to foster improved conditions in financial markets more generally. Only fixed-rate agency MBS securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are eligible assets for the program. The program includes, but is not limited to, 30-year, 20-year and 15-year securities of these issuers. Since the inception...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01072010_fed_agency_mbs_purchases.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127977/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127977" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fed-mbs-program-update-89-of-funding-used</guid></item><item><title>FOMC Hints at MBS Purchase Program Extension. GSE Reform is Real Issue</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-hints-at-mbs-purchase-program-extension-gse-reform-is-real-issue1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve released the Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting which took place on December 15th and 16th of 2009. Before I go into the much anticipated housing/mortgage market related details of the text, let me just say that reading all 11 pages of the document will bring you up to speed on economic conditions in a hurry. So obviously everyone is all excited about recent HINTS of a possible extension to the Fed&#39;s MBS Purchase Program. Here is the statement that has many feeling hopeful: &quot;S ome participants remained concerned about the economy&rsquo;s ability to generate a self-sustaining recovery without government support. In particular,they noted the risk that improvements in the housing sector might be undercut next year as the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s purchases...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_mbs_purchase_program.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127638/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127638" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-hints-at-mbs-purchase-program-extension-gse-reform-is-real-issue1</guid></item><item><title>FOMC Hints at MBS Purchase Program Extension. GSE Reform is Real Issue</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-hints-at-mbs-purchase-program-extension-gse-reform-is-real-issue</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:36 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve released the Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting which took place on December 15th and 16th of 2009. Before I go into the much anticipated housing/mortgage market related details of the text, let me just say that reading all 11 pages of the document will bring you up to speed on economic conditions in a hurry. So obviously everyone is all excited about recent HINTS of a possible extension to the Fed&#39;s MBS Purchase Program. Here is the statement that has many feeling hopeful: &quot;S ome participants remained concerned about the economy&rsquo;s ability to generate a self-sustaining recovery without government support. In particular,they noted the risk that improvements in the housing sector might be undercut next year as the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s purchases...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_mbs_purchase_program.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127638/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127638" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-hints-at-mbs-purchase-program-extension-gse-reform-is-real-issue</guid></item><item><title>Refinance Loan Apps Still Falling. Purchase Demand Hits 12 Year Low</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/refinance-loan-apps-still-falling-purchase-demand-hits-12-year-low1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Mortgage Bankers Association today released the Weekly Survey on Mortgage Application Activity for both the week ending December 25, 2009 and the week ending January 1, 2009. The MBA survey covers over 50 percent of all US residential mortgage loan applications taken by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a look into consumer demand for mortgage loans. A rising trend of mortgage applications indicates an increase in home buying interest, a positive for the housing industry and economy as a whole. Furthermore, in a low mortgage rate environment, such a trend implies consumers are seeking out lower monthly payments which can result in increased disposable income and therefore more money to spend on discretionary items or to pay down other debt. In the...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_mba_applications.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127536/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127536" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/refinance-loan-apps-still-falling-purchase-demand-hits-12-year-low1</guid></item><item><title>Refinance Loan Apps Still Falling. Purchase Demand Hits 12 Year Low</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/refinance-loan-apps-still-falling-purchase-demand-hits-12-year-low</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:36 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Mortgage Bankers Association today released the Weekly Survey on Mortgage Application Activity for both the week ending December 25, 2009 and the week ending January 1, 2009. The MBA survey covers over 50 percent of all US residential mortgage loan applications taken by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a look into consumer demand for mortgage loans. A rising trend of mortgage applications indicates an increase in home buying interest, a positive for the housing industry and economy as a whole. Furthermore, in a low mortgage rate environment, such a trend implies consumers are seeking out lower monthly payments which can result in increased disposable income and therefore more money to spend on discretionary items or to pay down other debt. In the...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_mba_applications.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127536/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127536" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/refinance-loan-apps-still-falling-purchase-demand-hits-12-year-low</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Markets Shaky Ahead of ADP Jobs Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-markets-shaky-ahead-of-adp-jobs-data1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[After the mixed equity session yesterday stocks continue to drift ahead of key employment data and a comprehensive survey of the services, financial, and construction industries. As of 7:00, Dow futures are 19.00 points to 10,496, extending the 12-point loss seen on Tuesday. S&amp;P 500 futures are down 3 points to 1129.25, offsetting the 3.5-point gain yesterday. Commodities are mixed with WTI Crude oil down 18 cents to $81.59 per barrel but Spot Gold up $3.75 to $1121.75 per ounce. Also, in the wake of comments from a European Central Bank member who said the EU would not be rescuing Greece, the greenback rose and the euro initially sank but then rebounded. &ldquo;The comment by executive board member J&uuml;rgen Stark in Italy&#39;s Il Sole newspaper initially sent the euro reeling lower...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_day_ahead_adp_ism.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127448/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127448" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-markets-shaky-ahead-of-adp-jobs-data1</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Markets Shaky Ahead of ADP Jobs Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-markets-shaky-ahead-of-adp-jobs-data</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[After the mixed equity session yesterday stocks continue to drift ahead of key employment data and a comprehensive survey of the services, financial, and construction industries. As of 7:00, Dow futures are 19.00 points to 10,496, extending the 12-point loss seen on Tuesday. S&amp;P 500 futures are down 3 points to 1129.25, offsetting the 3.5-point gain yesterday. Commodities are mixed with WTI Crude oil down 18 cents to $81.59 per barrel but Spot Gold up $3.75 to $1121.75 per ounce. Also, in the wake of comments from a European Central Bank member who said the EU would not be rescuing Greece, the greenback rose and the euro initially sank but then rebounded. &ldquo;The comment by executive board member J&uuml;rgen Stark in Italy&#39;s Il Sole newspaper initially sent the euro reeling lower...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01062010_day_ahead_adp_ism.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127448/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127448" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-markets-shaky-ahead-of-adp-jobs-data</guid></item><item><title>MBA Sees Distress in Q3 Commercial Real Estate Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mba-sees-distress-in-q3-commercial-real-estate-data1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Mortgage Bankers Associates (MBA) notes that, while some economists may have declared that the recession technically ended with the third quarter, its effects are still plaguing the real estate industry. The Association&#39;s Quarterly Databook for the period ended September 30 shows that the commercial real estate market has yet to show many signs of recovery from the downturn. The report states that vacancy rates rose during the third quarter for all major property types, with office and retail properties showing the greatest impact. Retail vacancies rose from 12.9 percent to 18.6 percent during the quarter while office vacancies increased 3.4 points to a 19.5 percent rate. Industrial properties increased from 9.8 percent to 13.0 percent while apartment vacancies rose from 6.5 percent...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_mba_sees_distress_in_q3_commercial_real_estate_data.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127266/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127266" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mba-sees-distress-in-q3-commercial-real-estate-data1</guid></item><item><title>MBA Sees Distress in Q3 Commercial Real Estate Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mba-sees-distress-in-q3-commercial-real-estate-data</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Mortgage Bankers Associates (MBA) notes that, while some economists may have declared that the recession technically ended with the third quarter, its effects are still plaguing the real estate industry. The Association&#39;s Quarterly Databook for the period ended September 30 shows that the commercial real estate market has yet to show many signs of recovery from the downturn. The report states that vacancy rates rose during the third quarter for all major property types, with office and retail properties showing the greatest impact. Retail vacancies rose from 12.9 percent to 18.6 percent during the quarter while office vacancies increased 3.4 points to a 19.5 percent rate. Industrial properties increased from 9.8 percent to 13.0 percent while apartment vacancies rose from 6.5 percent...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_mba_sees_distress_in_q3_commercial_real_estate_data.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127266/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127266" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mba-sees-distress-in-q3-commercial-real-estate-data</guid></item><item><title>Pending Home Sales Break Nine Month Growth Streak. 'Chicken or Egg' Dilemma Discussed</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/pending-home-sales-break-nine-month-growth-streak-chicken-or-egg-dilemma-discussed1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The National Association of Realtors this morning released November Pending Home Sales data. A sale is listed as &quot;pending&quot; when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing. The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20 percent of transactions for existing-home sales. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity from 2001 through 2004 parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months. Mortgage and Real Estate professionals know that a signed contract is just the first step in a long process nowadays though. The hard part is qualifying and closing! Pending Home Sales...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_pending_home_sales.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127246/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127246" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/pending-home-sales-break-nine-month-growth-streak-chicken-or-egg-dilemma-discussed1</guid></item><item><title>Pending Home Sales Break Nine Month Growth Streak. 'Chicken or Egg' Dilemma Discussed</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/pending-home-sales-break-nine-month-growth-streak-chicken-or-egg-dilemma-discussed</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The National Association of Realtors this morning released November Pending Home Sales data. A sale is listed as &quot;pending&quot; when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing. The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20 percent of transactions for existing-home sales. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity from 2001 through 2004 parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months. Mortgage and Real Estate professionals know that a signed contract is just the first step in a long process nowadays though. The hard part is qualifying and closing! Pending Home Sales...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_pending_home_sales.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127246/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127246" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/pending-home-sales-break-nine-month-growth-streak-chicken-or-egg-dilemma-discussed</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Equities Extend Gains Before Housing, Manufacturing Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-equities-extend-gains-before-housing-manufacturing-data1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:16 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The decade started off well yesterday with all three US markets soaring by more than 1.50% yesterday. This morning the futures market looks to extend those gains ahead of the pending home sales index, even though investors believe the survey will show some cooling. Two hours before the open, Dow Futures are 6 points higher at 10,525 after rising 156 points yesterday. The benchmark S&amp;P 500 Futures is up a modest 0.25 points to 1129.00, extending the 17.89-point gain yesterday. Meanwhile, commodity prices and the dollar are pretty flat. WTI Crude is slightly higher at $81.55 per barrel and Spot Gold is up 12 cents to $1121.32 per ounce. Yesterday, the key ISM manufacturing index jumped to a 44-month high of 55.9. All five major components moved upwards including a 5.2-point jump in the new...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_day_ahead_pending_home_sales.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127158/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127158" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-equities-extend-gains-before-housing-manufacturing-data1</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Equities Extend Gains Before Housing, Manufacturing Data</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-equities-extend-gains-before-housing-manufacturing-data</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The decade started off well yesterday with all three US markets soaring by more than 1.50% yesterday. This morning the futures market looks to extend those gains ahead of the pending home sales index, even though investors believe the survey will show some cooling. Two hours before the open, Dow Futures are 6 points higher at 10,525 after rising 156 points yesterday. The benchmark S&amp;P 500 Futures is up a modest 0.25 points to 1129.00, extending the 17.89-point gain yesterday. Meanwhile, commodity prices and the dollar are pretty flat. WTI Crude is slightly higher at $81.55 per barrel and Spot Gold is up 12 cents to $1121.32 per ounce. Yesterday, the key ISM manufacturing index jumped to a 44-month high of 55.9. All five major components moved upwards including a 5.2-point jump in the new...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01052010_day_ahead_pending_home_sales.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127158/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127158" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-equities-extend-gains-before-housing-manufacturing-data</guid></item><item><title>Bank of America Top MBS Underwriter in 2009. What is an MBS Underwriter?</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/bank-of-america-top-mbs-underwriter-in-2009-what-is-an-mbs-underwriter1</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:17 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac once again kept the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market going during 2009. The three government-sponsored enterprises wrote 89 percent of all new issues during the year, contributing to an increase of 51 percent in new MBS compared to 2008. Thomson Reuters reported on the eve of the holiday weekend that $291.5 billion in securities were issued during the year compared to $193.0 billion in 2008. That year was admittedly the slowest year for new MBS this decade, but the 2009 activity was hailed by Thomson Reuters as indication &quot;that investors&#39; appetite for risk improved amid signs of stabilization in the housing market.&quot; The shift to the agency MBS market is not new. It has held the lion&#39;s share of the market since 2007 when originators...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01042010_bank_of_america_mbs_uw.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127058/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127058" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/bank-of-america-top-mbs-underwriter-in-2009-what-is-an-mbs-underwriter1</guid></item><item><title>Bank of America Top MBS Underwriter in 2009. What is an MBS Underwriter?</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/bank-of-america-top-mbs-underwriter-in-2009-what-is-an-mbs-underwriter</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:38 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac once again kept the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market going during 2009. The three government-sponsored enterprises wrote 89 percent of all new issues during the year, contributing to an increase of 51 percent in new MBS compared to 2008. Thomson Reuters reported on the eve of the holiday weekend that $291.5 billion in securities were issued during the year compared to $193.0 billion in 2008. That year was admittedly the slowest year for new MBS this decade, but the 2009 activity was hailed by Thomson Reuters as indication &quot;that investors&#39; appetite for risk improved amid signs of stabilization in the housing market.&quot; The shift to the agency MBS market is not new. It has held the lion&#39;s share of the market since 2007 when originators...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01042010_bank_of_america_mbs_uw.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/127058/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=127058" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/bank-of-america-top-mbs-underwriter-in-2009-what-is-an-mbs-underwriter</guid></item><item><title>Addressing Calls for Leadership in 2010</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/addressing-calls-for-leadership-in-20101</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:33:17 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Looking back, 2009 was a tough year for me. Although our audience grew at a rapid rate and readers constantly commented on how appreciative they were of our efforts...I was not satisfied with my own personal progression. It seemed like I had plateaued and the expansion of my knowledge base had gone stagnant. This was obvious to me in my personal review of 2009 MND content. My CFA studies lagged, &quot;Plain and Simple&quot; was seldom seen, and copy writing began to seep into MND news stories (ugh yuck). After looking back on it...I feel like I wasted a lot of time and misdirected my energy. It felt like I lost focus. I was a very frustrated person in late 2009. With that in mind, I have received a TON of emails from readers over the past 6 months. The overwhelming theme: &quot;AQ the industry...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01042010_calls_for_leadership.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/126958/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=126958" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/addressing-calls-for-leadership-in-20101</guid></item><item><title>Addressing Calls for Leadership in 2010</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/addressing-calls-for-leadership-in-2010</link><pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:32:38 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Looking back, 2009 was a tough year for me. Although our audience grew at a rapid rate and readers constantly commented on how appreciative they were of our efforts...I was not satisfied with my own personal progression. It seemed like I had plateaued and the expansion of my knowledge base had gone stagnant. This was obvious to me in my personal review of 2009 MND content. My CFA studies lagged, &quot;Plain and Simple&quot; was seldom seen, and copy writing began to seep into MND news stories (ugh yuck). After looking back on it...I feel like I wasted a lot of time and misdirected my energy. It felt like I lost focus. I was a very frustrated person in late 2009. With that in mind, I have received a TON of emails from readers over the past 6 months. The overwhelming theme: &quot;AQ the industry...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/01042010_calls_for_leadership.asp">read more</a>)<p><div style="background-color:#D4EDC9;border:1px solid #BDD4B3;padding:3px 5px 3px 6px; color:#000000;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><strong>Forward this article via email:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/126958/3/forward.aspx" style="color:#3333CC;">Send a copy of this story</a> to someone you know that may want to read it.</div></p><img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=126958" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/addressing-calls-for-leadership-in-2010</guid></item><item><title>Existing Home Sales Unexpectedly Slide in August</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/existing-home-sales-unexpectedly-slide-in-august</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes fell 2.7% in August, pushing the annual rate to 5.10 million units from 5.24 million in July. 

Compared to 12 months ago that pace is up 3.4%, but analysts were expecting a 2.1% boost this month due to low mortgage rates and the soon-expiring tax credit for first-time homeowners.

The monthly slide in the index, which tracks sales of single-family homes, town homes, condominiums and co-ops, follows four months of gains that saw a cumulative 15.2% gain in sales....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09242009_existing_home_sales.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=109063" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/existing-home-sales-unexpectedly-slide-in-august</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Jobless Claims, Existing Home Sales, Treasury Auction</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-jobless-claims-existing-home-sales-treasury-auction</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The sharp sell-off in yesterday’s final hour hurt investor sentiment around the globe and contributed to general uncertainty about near-term prospects. Commodity prices are slightly weaker this morning with oil near $68 per barrel, while the US dollar has firmed from annual lows. Major events today include the weekly jobless claims report an hour before the opening bell, and the Existing Home Sales index half an hour into the session.

The session in Asia was deeply mixed. Japan’s Nikkei posted a 1.67% advance even though all-industry activity failed to meet expectations in July and nominal exports showed only minor improvement. Meanwhile, shares in Hong Kong nosedived 2.52% after it was reported that August exports were 13.9% slower than one year ago. The European market is also in the red. A sixth monthly gain in Germany’s Ifo index hasn’t prevented the DAX from falling 0.40%, and shares in England and France are currently down 0.33%....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09242009_day_ahead_jobless_claims.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=109012" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-jobless-claims-existing-home-sales-treasury-auction</guid></item><item><title>Stocks Slide After Post-FOMC Gains</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/stocks-slide-after-post-fomc-gains</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Upon release of an upbeat communiqué from the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee, equity indexes jumped up to 11-month highs and the dollar weakened, but an hour later the dollar recovered and sent stocks plummeting. 
The S&amp;P 500 hit an intra-day high of 1,079.89 but by the close it had dived nearly 20 points from that peak to 1,1060. That puts it down a full percentage point for the day ? making this the worst day for the benchmark index since Sept. 1.  Similar moves brought the Nasdaq down 0.69% to 2,131, while the Dow closed 0.83% below par at 9,748. Meanwhile, crude oil futures dropped below $68 a barrel, the dollar slipped, and the 10-year Treasury yield fell 10 basis points to 3.41%....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09232009_market_recap_fomc.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108870" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/stocks-slide-after-post-fomc-gains</guid></item><item><title>FOMC Maintains Policy, Extends Mortgage Purchase Program</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-maintains-policy-extends-mortgage-purchase-program</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[When Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke called the recession “very likely over” last week, there was some talk about whether his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee agreed. In the policy statement issued Wednesday afternoon, it looks clear that they do.

“Economic activity has picked up following its severe downturn,” reads the Fed’s statement in the first paragraph. The FOMC agreed to keep short-term interest rates at exceptionally low levels “for an extended period,” and none of the 10 voters dissented from the expectation that “inflation will remain subdued for some time.”...(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09232009_fomc_meeting.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108843" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fomc-maintains-policy-extends-mortgage-purchase-program</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: Market Prepares for FOMC Statement </title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-market-prepares-for-fomc-statement</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Stocks are flat and the US dollar is nearing 2009 lows as the Federal Reserve prepares to release its monetary policy statement this afternoon. It’s a near certainty that the central bank will hold short-term interest rates in the zero to 0.25% band, which puts the focus on the Fed’s economic outlook and any mention of its exit strategy.

“We would be amazed to see anything in the FOMC statement today that even resembles a hint that the Fed is preparing to withdraw any of the net monetary policy support to the economy,” said Ian Shepherdson from High Frequency Economics. “The U.S. economy is now performing better because, and only because, of the policy intervention, both monetary and fiscal,” he added....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09232009_fomc_meeting.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108749" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-market-prepares-for-fomc-statement</guid></item><item><title>Mortgage Applications Rebound as Rates Reach Four Month Low</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mortgage-applications-rebound-as-rates-reach-four-month-low</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Mortgage rates fell below 5% for the first time since mid-May last week, leading to increased appetite for refinancing, new loans, and purchases, an industry survey said Wednesday. The triple-front increases follow a soft performance in the holiday-shortened week before.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said the average mortgage rate fell to 4.97% in the week ending September 18. That, in combination with the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home purchasers expiring at the end of November, helped mortgage loan application volumes Index expand by 12.8% in the week....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09232009_mba_mortgage_applications.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108736" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mortgage-applications-rebound-as-rates-reach-four-month-low</guid></item><item><title>Mid-Day Recap: Equities Up Modestly in Slow Trading</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mid-day-recap-equities-up-modestly-in-slow-trading</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The US dollar continues to weaken after a pause on Monday, boosting appetite for dollar-denominated commodities and pushing share prices up. Crude oil halted a three-day decline and gained $1.34 to $71.05, with gold and silver following suit.

Approaching Noon in Tuesday’s session, all three major indexes are climbing enough to reverse any declines from Monday’s directionless session. The S&amp;P 500 has risen 0.57% to 1,070.61, putting the benchmark index less than 2 points from the 11-month high hit last week. The Nasdaq is up 0.33% to 2,145 and the Dow is up 0.36% to 9,814....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09222009_mid_day_recap_home_prices.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108539" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/mid-day-recap-equities-up-modestly-in-slow-trading</guid></item><item><title>FHFA Home Price Index Marginally Improved in July</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fhfa-home-price-index-marginally-improved-in-july</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Home prices bottomed out in the second quarter but prices are not rising as quickly as forecasters had assumed, an industry survey said Tuesday. 

The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s House Price Index, which compiles data on single-family homes, rose by 0.3% in July, half the pace expected by analysts. The previously reported 0.5% advance in June was trimmed to just +0.1%.

Despite the revisions, the overall story hasn’t changed. July marks the third consecutive month that prices have gone up, meaning the median price bottomed out in April. Since its peak in April 2007, prices fell 11.5% over two years. Over the past 12 months, the index has slid 4.2%....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09222009_fhfa_home_price_index.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108526" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/fhfa-home-price-index-marginally-improved-in-july</guid></item><item><title>The Day Ahead: FOMC Meeting Begins, FHFA Home Price Index, Treasury Auctions</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-fomc-meeting-begins-fhfa-home-price-index-treasury-auctions</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee begins its two-day monetary policy meeting today. Investors expect policy to remain accommodative well into 2010 so it’s a virtual certainty that the Fed Funds rate will remain at the historic low of zero to 0.25%, but with Ben Bernanke calling the recession “over” last week, many believe the accompanying statement could include some important changes.

Investors also want an update on whether the Fed will continue to purchase mortgage-backed securities. So far, the Fed has purchased $840 billion of MBS, part of an effort to keep mortgage rates down and invigorate the housing market. With home purchases showing broad improvement over the past four months, there is talk that the Fed will choose not to fulfill its bidding for a total of $1.25 trillion MBS....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09222009_day_ahead_fomc_fhfa.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108478" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/the-day-ahead-fomc-meeting-begins-fhfa-home-price-index-treasury-auctions</guid></item><item><title>Stocks Decline Despite Advance in Leading Indicators</title><link>http://www.msarecruiting.com/stocks-decline-despite-advance-in-leading-indicators</link><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator /><description><![CDATA[Following a downturn in equity markets across the globe, US stocks opened sharply lower on Monday morning. A fifth straight advance in the Leading Economic Indicators had little impact on markets, who are anxious one day before the Federal Reserve holds its two-day monetary policy meeting.

As of 11:00, the S&amp;P 500 is beginning the week down 0.70% to 1061, while the Dow is trading 0.69% lower at 9,752, and the Nasdaq is 0.23% lower at 2,128.

Crude prices slid more than two dollars to below $70 a barrel in New York, while the dollar continued rebound against the major currencies....(<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/09212009_leading_indicators_mid_day.asp">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=108280" width="1" height="1">]]></description><guid>http://www.msarecruiting.com/stocks-decline-despite-advance-in-leading-indicators</guid></item></channel></rss>