Published by FOX Business | June 22, 2022
Average 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage hit 5.23% in May: Freddie Mac
JPMorgan Chase’s mortgage business has become the latest casualty of layoffs as the Federal Reserve’s efforts to tame scorching-hot inflation send rates higher and dampen housing demand.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to FOX Business that hundreds of employees will be laid off, while hundreds of others will be reassigned to different divisions at the bank.
“Our staffing decision this week was a result of cyclical changes in the mortgage market. We were able to proactively move many impacted employees to new roles within the firm and are working to help the remaining affected employees find new employment within Chase and externally.”
–JP Morgan spokesperson
Last week, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points for the first time in nearly three decades. The move puts the key benchmark federal funds rate at a range between 1.50% to 1.75%, the highest since the pandemic began two years ago.
Officials also laid out an aggressive path of rate increases for the remainder of the year. New economic projections released after the Fed’s two-day meeting showed policymakers expect interest rates to hit 3.4% by the end of 2022, which would be the highest level since 2008.
In addition to JPMorgan, Wells Fargo has also been laying off or reassigning employees in its home-lending business.
“We are carrying out displacements in a transparent and thoughtful manner and providing assistance, such as severance and career counseling. Additionally, we are committed to retaining as many employees as possible,” a Wells Fargo spokesperson told FOX Business. “Of those impacted in home lending so far this year, about 35% are moving into other roles within Wells Fargo.”
