Fannie Mae’s quarterly Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey polls senior executives to assess their views and outlook on a number of topics related to the mortgage market. The results provide an insider’s perspective on credit standards, demand, the economy, and more. According to the most recent survey, when asked whether their lending organization’s credit standards have eased, tightened, or remained unchanged over the past three months, the gap between those saying they’ve eased and those reporting stricter standards increased to 20 percent, a new survey high. Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae, said it was the first time in seven quarters that there was a pronounced increase in the share of lenders reporting on net an easing of credit standards. “This is a significant result in light of public discourse on credit availability and standards,” Duncan said. “Overall, we expect that lenders’ tendency toward easing credit standards, together with relatively low mortgage rates and a strengthening labor market, will continue to support the housing market expansion.” More here.
