Refinancing Rises as Rates Hold Steady After Hawkish Fed Signal
Mortgage applications increased 1.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in the week ended June 19, 2026, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. The gain was driven by a pickup in refinancing, while purchase activity edged lower amid largely stable borrowing costs following the Federal Reserve’s June policy meeting.
The MBA’s Market Composite Index rose 1.0 percent from the prior week on a seasonally adjusted basis. On an unadjusted basis, the index fell 10 percent, with the results incorporating an adjustment for the Juneteenth holiday. Overall application volume remained 8 percent above year-ago levels.
Refinance applications increased 3 percent week-over-week and were 17 percent higher than the same week last year. The refinance share of total applications climbed to 41.5 percent from 40.3 percent the previous week.
The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index declined 1 percent from one week earlier. Unadjusted purchase applications fell 12 percent compared with the prior week but were still 3 percent above year-ago levels.
Mike Fratantoni
“Mortgage rates changed little over the course of last week, despite the more hawkish tone from the FOMC at its June meeting,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA senior vice president and chief economist. “Purchase application volume edged slightly lower, while refinance activity posted modest gains. Despite the elevated mortgage rates and overall economic uncertainty, mortgage application volume is running 8 percent above year-ago levels.”
Interest rates were mostly stable to slightly lower across key product categories:
- 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans (balances of $832,750 or less): The average contract rate fell to 6.59 percent from 6.60 percent, with points unchanged at 0.63 for 80 percent loan-to-value loans. The effective rate was unchanged.
- 30-year jumbo loans (balances above $832,750): The contract rate declined to 6.52 percent from 6.62 percent, with points rising to 0.58 from 0.57. The effective rate decreased.
- FHA-backed 30-year fixed-rate loans: The contract rate held at 6.25 percent, while points increased to 0.76 from 0.73. The effective rate rose.
- 15-year fixed-rate loans: The contract rate remained at 6.02 percent, with points increasing to 0.69 from 0.65. The effective rate increased.
- 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages: The contract rate fell to 5.68 percent from 5.86 percent, with points unchanged at 0.81. The effective rate decreased.
The adjustable-rate mortgage share of total applications decreased to 8.2 percent. Government-backed loan shares shifted modestly: FHA applications rose to 17.9 percent from 17.5 percent, VA applications declined to 12.3 percent from 12.9 percent, and USDA applications increased to 0.5 percent from 0.4 percent.
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