Is credit beginning to thaw?

Average FICO scores are finally starting to fall. After plateauing at 750 for most of late summer and fall, average FICO scores for approved loans have fallen to 724, which is approaching normalcy. During the bubble years, credit was very lax, and average FICO scores were around 720 for 2006, 2006, and 2007. After the bubble burst, credit became very tight, and average FICOs increased to 757. Now that the refinance market is drying up and lenders are taking more risk in order to drive business.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had hoped that the new Qualified Mortgage (or QM) rule would have eased credit conditions somewhat. The QM rule sets standards for new mortgages that codify the “ability to repay” rules. Exotic mortgages—like negative-amortizing (pick-a-pay) loans or high-cost loans—are ineligible for qualified mortgages. The CFPB has set a debt-to-income ceiling of 43%. FICO scores aren’t part of the equation. In return, borrowers are unable to sue a lender if they end up defaulting. Credit is becoming easier to get. But the question is whether that’s due to home price appreciation or due to the QM rule.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-credit-continuing-ease-mortgage-171607986.html