Tag Archives: Federal Reserve

Bank Lending Still Stingy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner The Federal Reserve just published its quarterly Senior Loan Officer survey on lending standards by the largest banks. They basically adhere to the strictest Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines for residential loans, such as minimum 620 … Continue reading →

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Higher Retail Sales Point to Consumer Health

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are buying more, a reflection of improving incomes and the jobs market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday … Continue reading →

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Bernanke’s Fed Growing U.S. Economy

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Right now, the Federal Reserve seems to be the only government agency focused on growing the economy. Washington has otherwise been focused on the sequester agreement, or how to further cut government spending. But such austerity measures … Continue reading →

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The Fed Worried About Continued Growth

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Fourth Quarter Gross Domestic Product growth was a bust. What does that say about 2013? Are consumers tapped out, and capital expenditures (capex) shrinking, the two main drivers of economic growth? It doesn’t seem so, as long … Continue reading →

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Mortgage Activity Continues To Improve

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Increasing mortgage purchase and refinance activity, key forward looking indicators of our housing market, show 2013 should be a great year for housings’ continued recovery. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported its Refinance Index increased 4 percent from … Continue reading →

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Why Shouldn’t the Fed Do More?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fourth Quarter Gross Domestic Product growth was a bust. And so cries are rising for the Federal Reserve to do more to promote growth (since Congress and the White House can’t or won’t). Actually the Fed has done … Continue reading →

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What Budget Problem?

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Does Congress know that our federal budget deficit has been shrinking steadily since 2009, the end of the 18-month Great Recession? Yes, that’s right. A combination of cuts in government spending and very low interest rates on … Continue reading →

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Home Sales Surging

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Total existing home sales are accelerating, and prices are rising along with declining inventories. Sales that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 5.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in November … Continue reading →

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Q4 GDP Growth Improving

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs We are seeing faster economic growth in the fourth quarter, even after the upward revision of Q3 GDP growth to 2.7 percent from 2.0 percent. The reason? The 146,000 jump in November payroll jobs, soaring retail sales, and … Continue reading →

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2013 Year of Housing Recovery

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Wall Street is jumping on the real estate band wagon. Not only are hedge funds now buying foreclosed homes in bulk, reducing the ‘shadow inventory’ of homes with delinquent mortgages, but the record low interest rates are … Continue reading →

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