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U.S. HOME-MORTGAGE LENDING DECLINES AGAIN IN FIRST QUARTER, NEARING LOW POINT

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Residential Loans Down Another 7 Percent, to Smallest Level Since 2000; Total Lending Activity Off Almost 70 Percent in Three Years; Purchase, Refinance and Home-Equity Lending All Decrease

IRVINE, Calif., June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, today released its first-quarter 2024 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report, which shows that 1.28 million mortgages secured by residential property (1 to 4 units) were issued in the United States during the first quarter, representing a 6.8 percent decline from the previous quarter. The drop-off marked the 11th in the last 12 quarters, to the lowest level since 2000.

The latest decline left total residential lending activity down 4.8 percent from a year earlier and 69.3 percent from a high point hit in 2021. It came amid another period of rising mortgage interest rates and elevated home prices unaffordable to significant portions of American households, on top of low supplies of homes for sale.

Ongoing decreases in lending activity during the first quarter resulted from losses in all major categories of residential lending. Purchase-loan activity went down another 9.9 percent quarterly, to about 565,000, while refinance deals dipped downward by 1.9 percent, to 491,000. Home-equity credit lines slipped 9 percent, to 222,000.

Measured monetarily, lenders issued $405.6 billion worth of residential mortgages in the first quarter of 2024. That was down 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.5 percent from the first quarter of last year.

The varying paces of change among different loan types helped reduce the portion of all residential mortgages represented by purchase lending for the third straight quarter while pushing the refinance component upward. Still, purchase loans were the most common form of mortgages around the U.S. in early 2024, comprising more than 40 percent, followed by refinance packages and home-equity lending.

“There is reason to hope that we will see something of a turnaround when second-quarter data comes in, given the jump in lending activity that happened during the peak home-buying season of 2023,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “But with little sign that interest rates are coming down, which could fire up refinance and HELOC lending, or that supplies of homes for sale are going up, any increase is likely to be limited.”

Home-mortgage lending took another hit in the early months of 2024 as average interest rates for 30-year fixed loans rose close to 7 percent (it has since increased). That continued to push up home ownership costs at a time when near-record home prices in most of the country already were unaffordable, or a significant financial stretch, for average wage earners. Purchase lending was further eroded amid counts of homes for sale that were less than half the levels seen five years ago.

Total lending activity down in two-thirds of nation
Banks and other lenders issued a total of 1,277,899 residential mortgages in the first quarter of 2024, down from 1,371,344 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The fallback continued a three-year run of declines that was broken only by a spike in the second quarter of last year.

The latest total also was down annually from 1,343,010 in the first quarter of 2023, and from a recent high point of 4,165,204 hit in the first quarter of 2021.

A total of $405.6 billion was lent to homeowners and buyers in the first quarter of this year, which was down from $426.1 billion in the prior quarter and down from $424.6 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The latest figure stood at less than one-third of the recent peak of $1.29 trillion hit in 2021.

Overall lending activity dipped lower from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year in 125, or 69 percent, of the 182 metropolitan statistical areas around the U.S. that had a population of 200,000 or more and at least 1,000 total residential mortgages issued in the first quarter of 2024.

Total lending also remained down from the first quarter of 2023 in 118, or 65 percent, of the metro areas analyzed. It was off by at least 5 percent annually in almost half of those markets.

The largest quarterly decreases were in St. Louis, MO (total lending down 40.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Buffalo, NY (down 29.9 percent); Albany, NY (down 28.6 percent); Syracuse, NY (down 27.4 percent) and Pensacola, FL (down 25.6 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Buffalo, metro areas with a population of least 1 million that had the biggest decreases in total loans from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were Minneapolis, MN (down 21.2 percent); Hartford, CT (down 18.2 percent) and Honolulu, HI (down 16.3 percent).

The biggest quarterly increases among metro areas with a population of at least 1 million came in Tucson, AZ (total lending up 15.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Phoenix, AZ (up 14.9 percent); Birmingham, AL (up 8.8 percent); Virginia Beach, VA (up 8.6 percent) and Memphis, TN (up 8.3 percent).

Purchase mortgages slump throughout U.S. but remain top loan type
Loans issued to home buyers fell back in the first few months of 2024 for the third straight quarter after a surge of about 25 percent in the Spring of last year.

The latest total of 564,598 dropped from 626,759 in the fourth quarter of 2023. It was also down 12.3 percent from 643,988 a year earlier and almost two-thirds from a high point of 1,516,377 hit in the Spring of 2021.

The $214.8 billion dollar volume of purchase loans in the first quarter of 2024 was down 6.7 percent from $230.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 7.8 percent from $233.1 billion in the first quarter of last year.

Residential purchase-mortgage originations decreased quarterly in 132 of the 182 metro areas in the report (73 percent) and annually in 77 percent of those markets.

The largest quarterly decreases were in Wichita, KS (purchase loans down 66.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Mobile AL (down 54.2 percent); St. Louis, MO (down 45.3 percent); Manchester, NH (down 39 percent) and Buffalo, NY (down 38.3 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Buffalo, the biggest quarterly decreases in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million in the first quarter of 2024 came in Boston, MA (down 27.6 percent); Minneapolis, MN (down 24.8 percent) and Milwaukee, WI (down 24.5 percent).

The top increases in purchase lending from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million were in Phoenix, AZ (up 23.6 percent); Tucson, AZ (up 23.6 percent); Orlando, FL (up 18.6 percent); Las Vegas, NV (up 18 percent) and Tampa, FL (up 13.2 percent).

Refinance mortgages still up year over year but remain far beneath peak
Lenders issued 490,953 residential refinance mortgages in the first quarter of 2024. That was down from 500,323 in the fourth quarter of 2023, although still up 11.4 percent from 440,890 a year earlier because of a short-lived jump in 2023.

Nevertheless, the latest figure remained down 82.1 percent from a peak of 2,742,371 in early 2021 when mortgage rates below 3 percent sent refinance deals soaring.

The $149.6 billion dollar volume of refinance packages in the first quarter of 2024 was down 1.2 percent from $151.4 billion in the prior quarter, but still 4.7 percent higher than $142.9 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

Refinancing activity went down quarterly in 83, or 46 percent, of the 182 metro areas around the U.S. with enough data to analyze. It was up annually in 149, or 82 percent, of those metros.

The largest quarterly decreases were in St. Louis, MO (refinance loans down 35 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Green Bay, WI (down 30.1 percent); Madison, WI (down 26.9 percent); Honolulu, HI (down 25.5 percent) and Scranton, PA (down 23.9 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Honolulu, metro areas with a population of least 1 million where refinance activity decreased most quarterly were Atlanta, GA (down 19.6 percent); Buffalo, NY (down 18.9 percent) and Minneapolis, MN (down 14.7 percent).

Metro areas with a population of least 1 million and the largest increases in the number of refinance loans from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were Virginia Beach, VA (up 26.7 percent); Memphis, TN (up 26.5 percent); Birmingham, AL (up 23.5 percent); San Jose, CA (up 21.6 percent) and Seattle, WA (up 18.3 percent).

HELOC lending slips again, down in three-quarters of metro markets
Home-equity lines of credit (HELOCs) also decreased in the first quarter of 2024, declining to 222,348 from 244,262 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The latest count was down 13.9 percent from 258,132 a year earlier. The first-quarter decrease marked the third in a row after a brief gain last Spring.

The $41.1 billion volume of HELOC loans in the first quarter of 2024 was down from $44.5 billion in the prior three-month period, a 7.6 percent decline. The latest total also was down annually, by 15.5 percent.

HELOCs comprised 17.4 percent of all loans in the most recent quarter. That was down from 19.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023 but still almost four times the level recorded in the early part of 2021.

HELOC mortgage originations decreased from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 in 75 percent of the metro areas analyzed. The largest quarterly decreases in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million were in St. Louis, MO (down 37.4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Kansas City, MO (down 27.6 percent); Buffalo, NY (down 27.3 percent); Indianapolis, IN (down 24 percent) and Fresno, CA (down 22.6 percent).

The largest quarterly increases in HELOC activity in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million and sufficient data to analyze came in Columbus, OH (up 8.5 percent); Baltimore, MD (up 5.1 percent); New York, NY (up 3.4 percent); New Orleans, LA (up 1.7 percent) and Washington, DC (up 0.8 percent).

FHA and VA loan percentages rise
Mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) rose early this year as a percentage of all lending. They accounted for 210,246, or 16.5 percent, of all residential property loans originated in the first quarter of 2024. That was up from 15.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 12.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

Residential loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) totaled 68,430, or 5.4 percent, of all residential property loans originated in the first quarter of 2024. That was up from 4.3 percent in the previous quarter, although down slightly from 5.5 percent a year earlier.

Typical purchase loan goes up while down payments decline, both by unusually large amounts
As the national median home price increased in the first quarter of 2024, the typical single-family home loan also rose. But the opposite was true for median down-payment percentages.

Among homes purchased with financing in the first quarter of 2024, the median loan amount climbed to $329,800. That was up 7.4 percent from $307,000 in the prior quarter and 7.2 percent from $307,722 a year earlier. The quarterly increase was the largest since the second quarter of 2021.

However, the median down payment of $26,700 on single-family homes purchased with financing in the first quarter of 2024 dropped by 20.9 percent, from $33,750 in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the year, it was down 3.1.

Report methodology
ATTOM analyzed recorded mortgage and deed of trust data for single-family homes, condos, town homes and multi-family properties of two to four units for this report. Each recorded mortgage or deed of trust was counted as a separate loan origination. Dollar volume was calculated by multiplying the total number of loan originations by the average loan amount for those loan originations.

About ATTOM
ATTOM provides premium property data to power products that improve transparency, innovation, efficiency, and disruption in a data-driven economy. ATTOM multi-sources property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation’s population. A rigorous data management process involving more than 20 steps validates, standardizes, and enhances the real estate data collected by ATTOM, assigning each property record with a persistent, unique ID — the ATTOM ID. The 30TB ATTOM Data Warehouse fuels innovation in many industries including mortgage, real estate, insurance, marketing, government and more through flexible data delivery solutions that include ATTOM Cloud, bulk file licenses, property data APIs, real estate market trends, property navigator and more. Also, introducing our newest innovative solution, making property data more readily accessible and optimized for AI applications– AI-Ready Solutions. 

Media Contact:
Megan Hunt
megan.hunt@attomdata.com 

Data and Report Licensing:
datareports@attomdata.com

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In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

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The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

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WENZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report by China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

He Junke, Vice President of CAST in charge of daily work and First Secretary of its Secretariat; Lian Yimin, Chairman and Party Group Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences; and Zhang Zhenfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee, attended the summit and delivered remarks. Yao Gaoyuan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, presided over the first segment of the plenary session.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Yunji, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Processor Chips; Mary Garson, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; and Lu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of CAST, Executive Dean of the Shanghai Institute of Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, and Chairman of the Council of the World Association of Young Scientists, delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

Chen Tianrun, Founder of Hangzhou Moxin Technology Co., Ltd.; Yuan Yang, Assistant to the Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University; and two of the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award winners, César de la Fuente and Nicola Segata, among other Chinese and foreign young scientist representatives, spoke at the flash-talk session to share their research practices and reflections.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

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SOURCE China Daily

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The Ultimate Send-off to Summer: CSTS Debuts Global Entertainment IP PremierX at New York’s Pier 17, Ushering in a New Era of Live Entertainment

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NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CSTS Enterprises (‘CSTS’), a New York-based sports, entertainment, integrated media and travel technology group, today announced the official launch of PremierXTM, its flagship live entertainment brand, with a landmark Halloween Weekend event “AFTER DARK” at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York on October 30, 2026.

Capping off Seaport’s 2026 Summer Season in unforgettable fashion, the grand finale brings a powerhouse lineup of stars to the PremierXTM stage at Pier 17, featuring Lil Xan, Armani White, DJ Soda, Nate Wyatt, and surprise A-list guest headliners. Set against the iconic Manhattan skyline, the landmark eventing unites chart-topping hip-hop and high-octane electronic music for a festival-grade experience as The Rooftop at Pier 17 transforms into the city’s premier live music destination.

Building on the momentum of the PremierXTM After Party for the 2026 World Cup Final that took place in New York on July 19th, “AFTER DARK” signals the official debut of PremierXTM, a proprietary, New York – born global entertainment IP created by CSTS to deliver defining cultural experiences at the intersection of music, sport, art and lifestyle. Centred on the power of cultural crossover, PremierXTM serves as an international bridge connecting East and West, modern innovation and timeless classical, while uniting world-class artists, creators, performers and audiences through the universal language of entertainment and premium live experiences.

The launch also marks the beginning of a promising relationship with Pier 17, providing a world-class stage for PremierXTM to accelerate its growth in the U.S. and engage international audiences over the long term. By combining PremierXTM’s global entertainment vision with Pier 17’s iconic waterfront setting, the partnership aims to create a premier destination for live experiences, empowering both platforms to expand their global reach, deepen audience engagement, and drive sustainable growth.

As a key pillar of CSTS’ integrated ecosystem spanning entertainment, sports, travel, integrated media and marketing solutions, PremierXTM further strengthens the Group’s ability to create high-impact experiences that connect audiences, destinations and brand partners. With the global live entertainment market projected to grow from approximately US$203 billion in 2025 to US$270 billion by 2030[1], PremierXTM is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for premium, experience-led entertainment while creating long-term value to the Group through recurring audience engagement, tourism and brand partnerships.

“PremierX TM represents a significant milestone in CSTS’ evolution from a leading operator of global sports and hospitality platforms into a creator of world-class entertainment experiences,” said Abel Zhao, Group CEO and Executive Director at CSTS Enterprises. “The season finale at Pier17 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for CSTS as we expand our entertainment footprint and introduce a platform designed to deliver iconic live experiences and bring together artists and audiences from across the globe.”

“PremierXTM was built from the ground up as a bespoke platform to champion multicultural talent and visionary creative performers.” said Jason Liu, Regional Director of CSTS USA. “Starting from New York, we are building a scalable global brand that brings iconic live experiences to audiences worldwide while expanding our presence across key entertainment hubs in North America, Asia and Europe.”

Following its New York launch, PremierXTM plans to expand through a broader international rollout across North America, Asia and Europe, with future editions planned as part of a growing network of recurring live entertainment properties and flagship cultural events.

For ticket information on PremierXTM: “AFTER DARK”, visit
https://www.axs.com/events/1644912/after-dark-tickets

About CSTS Enterprises

CSTS Enterprises is an integrated media, entertainment, sports, and travel technology group. Headquartered in New York City, the company develops and partners with intellectual properties and brands to deliver compelling experiences that connect with audiences across the world. In addition to its own initiatives, including Generation CTM and PremierXTM, it collaborates with international IPs including FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and Formula 1.

CSTS integrates experiential marketing, travel, data, and technology to deliver seamless end-to-end audience experiences. The company engages consumers across physical events and digital channels, executing at scale worldwide, turning complex activations into co-ordinated, measurable outcomes.

[1] Source: Industry research by Markets and Markets, Live Entertainment Market Size, Share, Latest Trends & Growth Analysis, 2025-2030, Live Entertainment Market Size, Share, Latest Trends & Growth Analysis, 2025-2030.

 

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