SPECIAL REPORT: MBA Forecasts Negative Economic Growth Through First Half of 2009

WASHINGTON, DC-)- MBA expects economic growth in the second half of 2008 to be negative and remain negative through the first half of 2009 before a modest recovery according to the latest economic forecast released today by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

MBA expects growth to pick up strongly by the end of 2009 and over the course of 2010. MBA expects total residential mortgage production in 2009 to be $1.67 trillion, down from an expected $1.86 trillion in 2008 and $2.3 trillion in 2007.

"A recession appears to be underway, as evidenced in rising unemployment, contracting manufacturing activity and declining inflation-adjusted consumption spending.

"Credit markets continue to be dysfunctional and the recent intensification of the credit crunch is hitting an already weakened economy," said Jay Brinkmann, (top right photo) MBA chief economist and senior vice president for research and economics.

"We expect residential investment to decline further through the first half of 2009, due to the excess supply of houses and weakened demand from the recession."

"Unemployment will likely accelerate," continued Brinkmann. "By the end of next year, the unemployment rate will probably be around 7.7 percent and remain elevated through most of 2010 before heading down again."

"The rates on fixed-rate mortgages have picked up recently to near 6.5 percent in response to policymakers' programs for banks recapitalization and insurance of financial institutions.

"We expect long-term rates to decline from their current levels as massive liquidity injections by central banks around the world and other policy actions work through the system and demand increases for long dated debt," said Brinkmann.

"The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage yield should trend modestly lower, averaging 6.0 percent in the current quarter and remaining near that level through 2009 before trending up modestly in 2010 as the economy gets stronger," said Brinkmann.

Following are the key points of the latest MBA forecast:

· Real GDP growth will average about 0.3 percent in 2008, 0.1 percent in 2009 and 3.4 percent in 2010. However, growth will be negative in the 4th quarter of 2008 and the first two quarters of 2009.

· The unemployment rate will increase from the current level of 6.1 percent to about 6.5 percent by the end of 2008 and steadily increase to about 7.8 percent by the first part of 2010 before declining by late 2010.
· Fixed mortgage rates are expected to average about six percent in the fourth quarter and remain slightly lower through the end of 2009 before rising modestly in 2010.

· Total existing home sales for 2008 will end up about 13 percent below those for 2007. Existing home sales are projected to rebound slightly in 2009, increasing by about three percent. Sales should increase by about six percent in 2010.

· New home sales for 2008 will be down by about 36 percent relative to 2007. Sales are projected to bottom in the second half of 2009 and rebound modestly in the second half.

For all of 2009, new home sales should post a decline of about 12 percent. Sales should increase by about 25 percent in 2010.

· National average home price declines should continue through most of 2009, with states like California and Florida continuing to drive the national averages, but with a number of other states showing more modest decreases.

Median home prices for new and existing homes are expected to be down about six to seven percent for 2008.

Prices should decline at a more modest rate of about three to four percent in 2009 before rising slightly in 2010.

· Purchase originations for 2008 will be $912 billion, about 20 percent below the 2007 level of $1,140 billion.

Purchase originations should rise about two percent in 2009, as existing home sales recover and home price declines moderate.

For 2010, we expect purchase originations to increase about nine percent as home sales increase strongly and home prices stop declining.

· Refinance originations will decline about 19 percent from an estimated $1,167 billion in 2007 to $949 billion in 2008. Refi activity will decline another 23 percent in 2009 before increasing about four percent in 2010, as lending standards ease.

CONTACTS:

John Mechem, (202) 557-2924 jmechem@mortgagebankers.org

Carolyn Kemp, (202) 557-2727, ckemp@mortgagebankers.org