Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA)

As FHFA moves to give Federal Home Loan Banks more flexibility, the trade group is renewing its push to give qualified independent mortgage banks access to FHLBank membership and liquidity

Community lenders want more flexibility over employee compensation, closing-cost estimates, down payment assistance, and federal supervision of smaller IMBs

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will eliminate abbreviated project reviews for condo applications dated on or after Aug. 3

Trade group says the loss of experienced Rural Housing Service staff could complicate delegated underwriting, lender onboarding, and program guidance

The lender group says mortgages below $100,000 routinely lose money, while LO compensation rules could prevent federal incentives from reaching originators

Trade group supports lower mortgage risk weights but says broader market forces — not capital rules — drove banks' retreat from the market