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May 01

Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tightening Nationwide

Mortgage Guidelines Tighten

Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation's banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom. Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for "prime borrowers" than did loosen them. A "prime borrower" is defined as one with a well-documented credit history, high credit scores, and a low debt-to-income ratio. The insight comes from the Federal Reserve's quarterly survey of its member banks. Last quarter, of the 54 … [Read more...]

Feb 03

Mortgage Guidelines Starting To Loosen?

Mortgage lending appears to be loosening. At least for now. In its quarterly survey of member banks, the Federal Reserve asks senior loan officers around the country whether their "prime" residential mortgage guidelines had tightened within the last 3 months. A prime borrower is one with a well-documented credit history, high credit scores, and a low debt-to-income ratio. Of the 54 responding banks, just 2 said its guidelines had tightened during the period October-December 2010. That's less … [Read more...]