- Mortgage Nuggets
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- Freddie Mac concludes 2025 with $5.1 billion in credit risk transfers
Freddie Mac concludes 2025 with $5.1 billion in credit risk transfers
Plus: Producing LOs grow their ranks in 2025
🐫 Welcome back. Today’s newsletter is 604 words, a 2.5-minute read. Let’s dive in…
Disclaimer: Average mortgage rates as of January 6, 2026. © MND Daily Rate Index.
1. Credit bureau stocks tumble as FHFA chief criticizes pricing practices
Shares of TransUnion, Equifax Inc., and Fair Isaac Corporation tumbled on Tuesday after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte criticized credit bureau pricing practices on the social media platform X and hinted at potential regulatory action.
Pulte said he was confused by the credit bureaus’ pricing strategies, stating, “I do not understand what the credit bureaus are doing with their pricing, they are inviting a lot of scrutiny that is only intensifying by the day.” He added that he has communicated with credit bureau CEOs on the issue but said his concerns were “falling on deaf ears.”
The FHFA director’s comments came in response to a letter from the Mortgage Bankers Association, which reportedly highlighted that mortgage originators are facing increases of 40% to 50% in credit reporting costs.
2. First Federal Bank acquires Fidelity Bank’s mortgage division
First Federal Bank and Fidelity Bank jointly announced that they have signed a definitive agreement for First Federal to acquire Fidelity's mortgage division, NOLA Lending Group.
First Federal Bank will continue to serve Fidelity Bank's mortgage customers from existing locations across Louisiana, as well as in Pensacola, Florida, and McComb and Ridgeland, Mississippi.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with a partner that will continue to allow our talented and dedicated team to focus on delivering exceptional mortgage banking solutions to customers in our core markets. Fidelity Bank’s strategic plan for 2026 includes a renewed focus on sound execution of banking, which will support shareholder value.”
3. More Nuggets
⚠️ UWM challenges RESPA class-action case in Michigan court. (HousingWire)
💼 Freddie Mac concludes 2025 with $5.1 billion in credit risk transfers. (FreddieMac)
🎉 MBA names Alexandra Brinton as VP & CFO. (MBA)
📈 Producing LOs grow their ranks in 2025. (HousingWire)
4. Mortgage originator fined $31K, loses license in 19 states
A Colorado-based mortgage originator has agreed to pay $31,000 in fines and surrender his license in 19 states to settle allegations that someone else completed his required education courses.
Regulators said they were tipped off early last year that Patrick Terrance Donlon, who had pending license applications in two additional states, was not the individual who completed 22 pre-licensing courses and three continuing education courses for which he claimed credit.
The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (the federal SAFE Act) requires originators to complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education and state-licensed originators to complete eight hours of continuing education annually.
5. Report: Online research now shapes most buyer and seller agent decisions
According to a Zillow report, digital channels are playing an increasingly central role in agent selection, reshaping traditional referral and word-of-mouth pathways.
About 36% of sellers now find their agents through online sources, more than double the 15% reported in 2018, while 33% of buyers say online research significantly influenced their choice of agent.
This trend reflects a broader shift toward digital engagement and suggests that an agent’s online presence, visibility, and perceived expertise can be decisive even before first contact.
☀️ You’re all caught up. See you on Friday!
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