In a letter filed Wednesday to FHFA, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) expressed its view that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should seek to align their operations as much as possible. The alignment would help set the stage and ease transition into the future for the GSEs, SIFMA suggests. SIFMA also submitted a list of steps and goals of FHFA's Strategic Plan to coordinate the GSEs and says they will require communication, careful planning, and a focus on the Enterprises' core activities from the industry at every stage.

Judicial Watch, a group dedicated to investigating and fighting possible government corruption, says it submitted a FOIA request on January 12 to CFPB seeking access to records of communications between the bureau, the White House, the Executive Office of the President, the Treasury, and Congress concerning Cordray's appointment to his post. That request also asked for records of communications between CFPB and the White House regarding Obama's visit to CFPB after the appointment, a move Politico referred to as a ""victory lap.""

Codilis & Associates announced June 4 that Mike Sullivan has joined the company as director of sales and client relations.

Following FHA’s decision to cut up-front mortgage insurance premiums for certain loans, Mortgage Returns announced Thursday a new service to help lenders identify new business opportunities created by the fee cuts.

ISGN Corporation announced Monday that the company has chosen Ritesh Idnani to serve as CEO.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday that Bank of America has agreed to pay $161,180 to settle allegations of maternity-based discrimination. A complaint had been filed by the Fair Housing Council of Orange County (FHCOC) against BofA alleging that one of its San Jose branches refused to refinance a woman's mortgage because she was on maternity leave. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in mortgage lending and real estate-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability.

Parks Title announced Monday the addition of Mark Demmer to the company's leadership team as director of finance.

The FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) took a combined hit of approximately $80.8 million Friday after the closure of four banks. First Capital Bank in Oklahoma was announced by the FDIC as the first Oklahoma bank and the 25th bank overall to close in 2012. That announcement was followed by three more announcements of the closings of Carolina Federal Savings Bank in South Carolina, Farmers and Traders State Bank in Illinois, and Waccamaw Bank in North Carolina.

Feelings about homeownership remain positive in the face of a diminished market, but an uncertain economy and increasing down payments are keeping Americans from making purchases, a report from Integra Realty Resources (IRR) said. Wednesday's report detailed results from an IRR-commissioned survey of non-homeowners ages 22-50 in 11 major markets. While 85 percent of potential buyers indicated that market conditions are favorable for purchasing a home, unemployment and job instability make many respondents reluctant or unable to buy a home.

Field Asset Services (FAS) announced Thursday that the Loetta Arrington, senior VP of business development, has been selected to join the board of directors of the Women in Default Services (WinDS) Foundation.