AI startup BEN adds Chris Heller as adviser to board of directors

Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Brand Engagement Network (BEN) onboarded industry veteran Chris Heller as an adviser to its board of directors. Heller’s addition to the board comes at a time when BEN prepares to go public through a merger with DHC Acquisition Corp. — a special purpose acquisiti
Read MorePremier Lending Inc. adopts FICO Score 10 T

North Carolina-based mortgage lender Premier Lending Inc. has adopted the FICO Score 10 T credit-scoring model for its nonconforming loan originations and whole loan acquisitions.Premier Lending is adopting FICO’s updated credit-scoring model “to continue to drive the company’s innovation strategy f
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CoStar continues to post solid growth in the fourth quarter

CoStar Group’s annual revenue increased by 12% during the fourth quarter of 2023, marking its 51st straight quarter of double-digit revenue growth. The company reported revenue of $640 million and net income of $96 million for the quarter.Meanwhile, the company reported revenue of $2.46 billion for
Read MoreAlphV/BlackCat claims credit for loanDepot cyberattack

Infamous ransomware gang AlphV/BlackCat claimed it was behind the January cyberattack at top 15 U.S. mortgage lender loanDepot.loanDepot, which originated about $17 billion in mortgages in the first three quarters of 2023, had reported that a cyberattack brought down the company’s systems earlier th
Read MoreFairway makes new reverse mortgage investments, rejoins NRMLA

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation announced on Tuesday a series of reverse mortgage maneuvers designed to increase the company’s investment in the space.The first initiative is the decision to rejoin the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), which the company left at the end
Read MoreRecord number of 65-year-olds will reshape the age milestone: WSJ

More Americans are reaching the milestone age of 65, and these people are redefining what 65 looks like in comparison to prior generations — with a raft of implications for American society. This is according to a recent story published by the The Wall Street Journal.“Today’s 65-year-olds are redefi
Read MoreReduce title, real estate and mortgage risk with a cyber response plan

In today’s rapidly changing technology landscape, businesses in the title insurance, mortgage and real estate industries must prioritize cybersecurity response planning and business continuity. The second in our “Reducing Risk” series, this month’s article provides practical strategies for safeguard
Read MorePending legislation would end home inspection waivers in Massachusetts

A housing market marked by relatively high interest rates and tight inventory — and punctuated by the practice of home inspection waivers to sweeten offers — are taking a bite out of business for home inspectors, who play a key role in the sales process by ensuring that buyers are not being sold a l
Read MoreBaird & Warner partners with data provider RealReports

Illinois-based Baird & Warner, an independent real estate brokerage, partnered with proptech firm RealReports, the companies announced Tuesday. The news comes on the heels of the Keyes Company’s partnership with RealReports in October 2023. The collaboration is designed to allow all of Baird & Warne
Read MoreMinority homeownership gains ground, but disparities persist: NAR

The dream of homeownership is becoming more attainable for many Americans, with 10.5 million homeowners added between 2012 and 2022. Some racial minorities also witnessed a surge in their homeownership rates.According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) titled “A Snapshot
Read MoreOpinion: The role of the LO will soon be very different

Several historic events over the past few years have brought seismic changes to the way the mortgage lending industry operates. The impact of the pandemic and an unprecedented refinance boom followed in short order by the highest interest rates seen in decades cannot be overstated. Today, as we face
Read MoreWhat should lenders consider in 2024 for collateral risk?

Gareth Borcherds, managing director, Ascent Software GroupThe GSEs are taking a closer look at how they evaluate collateral risk. Appraisal modernization is vital. Gareth Borcherds, managing director Ascent Software Group outlines the three categories to be aware of, how appraisal modernization can
Read MoreHow do you solve the California housing crisis?

California looms large in any discussion of housing affordability. The largest state by population, one out of every eight Americans lives in the Golden State, but the homeownership rate is dismal. According to Ben Metcalf, managing director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley
Read MoreIs time the enemy of equity for chronically distressed homeowners?

Chronically distressed properties lost more than $7,000 in total home equity on average while cycling in and out of foreclosure, according to an Auction.com analysis of more than 80,000 properties scheduled for foreclosure auction multiple times in the last three years.The chronically distressed pro
Read MoreAre mortgage rates about to break out higher again?
Will mortgage rates break toward 8% again, making another 2024 data line that looks like a carbon copy of 2023? It’s not part of my 2024 forecast, but since the Federal Reserve likes playing with fire, let’s look at where we are with mortgage rates and their impact on weekly housing data.Mortgage ra
Read MoreNevada real estate firms hit with second commission lawsuit

A second home seller in Nevada has filed a lawsuit alleging that real estate industry players in the state have colluded to artificially inflate real estate agent commissions. The copycat commission lawsuit was filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas by Nevada home seller Angela Boykin.
Read MoreNew Jersey bill seeks to require face-to-face counseling for reverse mortgages

A bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate would require face-to-face counseling for the state’s reverse mortgage transactions and would void any loans executed without proof of such counseling having taken place. The bill is currently awaiting deliberation in the state Senate’s commerce committee.T
Read MoreNYSE sends second notice to FOA about noncompliance with continued listing standard

Finance of America Companies (FOA), parent company of reverse mortgage industry-leading lender Finance of America Reverse (FAR), was notified for the second time on Feb. 12 by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that it was not in compliance with the exchange’s continued listing standard. This is acc
Read MoreNAR runs out of liability insurance coverage: Sources

Three sources, who have asked to remain anonymous, have confirmed to HousingWire that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has run out of liability insurance funds. The news about NAR’s insurance predicament began circulating late Wednesday, with industry analyst Rob Hahn highlighting the news
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