White House to Fed: Cut Rates

Apr 01, 2019

Members of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) have participated in meetings at the White House to discuss important matters regarding Association Health Plans

The President took to Twitter to deride the Fed’s 2018 rate hikes, which he considered a policy error that halted economic progress.

“Had the Fed not mistakenly raised interest rates, especially since there is very little inflation, and had they not done the ridiculously timed quantitative tightening, the 3.0 percent GDP, & Stock Market, would have both been much higher & World Markets would be in a better place!” he tweeted

Separately, Kudlow stated in an interview with Axios that the Fed should "immediately" cut interest rates by 50 basis points. Kudlow added that he "would love to see" this action, which would put rates below two percent, adding that the central bank shouldn't have ever set overnight interest rates past the two percent mark. Rates are currently at 2.25 percent to 2.50 percent.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, a Trump appointee, signaled that the central bank was unlikely to enact more rate hikes this year. Powell and the Fed made no public comment on the comments from the President and Kudlow.

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Apr 01, 2019

Analysis and Data

Mortgage Rates Edge Down To 7.32%, Offering Limited Pipeline Relief

The modest decline trims borrower payments, while year-end forecasts above 7% leave LOs focused on deals already close to working

The first mortgage-rate decline in two months trims about $22 from the monthly payment on a $400,000 loan. For LOs trying to salvage year-end transactions, that creates an opening among borrowers already close to making the numbers work.Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the...

Operations

LO Compensation: What The Split Doesn’t Tell You

NMP’s Ignite summit explored the rules, expenses, and platform differences that shape what originators actually earn

A loan officer willing to earn less to win a borrower can still run into a compensation problem. The sticking point is how that smaller paycheck is determined, who funds it, and whether the arrangement connects compensation to the loan’s terms.That tension drove National Mor...

Feb

Austin, TX

More from

Regulation and Compliance

Trump Targets Mortgage Insurance, Refi Costs In Sweeping Housing Order

The executive order calls for automatic mortgage insurance cancellation, expanded title insurance alternatives, and cheaper refinances, potentially changing how lenders and servicers handle borrower costs

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 23, 2026

What The 2026 Election Means For Mortgage Professionals

CHLA’s Scott Olson examines how the next Congress could reshape housing tax breaks, lending costs, and access to homeownership — and where bipartisan deals remain possible

Opinion

Oct 22, 2026

Servicer Takes New York Payment-Fee Fight To Federal Court

Onity Group says the state hasn’t clearly defined how fees for optional expedited payments must relate to the cost of providing the service

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 21, 2026

January’s Condo Reserve Increase Puts Project Budgets In Focus

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s higher allocation requirement gives LOs reason to review association finances now, while California’s new funding duties begin in 2032

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 21, 2026

California Probes Lenders Over Delayed Wildfire Insurance Payouts

State regulators are examining access to rebuilding funds, while CalHFA offers financing tools for eligible disaster survivors

Regulation and Compliance

Oct 20, 2026