Posted To: MND NewsWireThe Mortgage Bankers Association said its Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) moved lower in August due to a decline in its jumbo loan component index. The composite MCAI decreased 0.3 percent to 183.5. A decline in the MCAI indicates that lending standards are tightening, while increases in the index are indicative of loosening credit. “Overall credit availability saw a slight decrease in August, for the first time in four months, as the jumbo index retreated from its record high in July. Strong month-over-month increases in the jumbo index reversed because of a reduction in the number of jumbo programs. The decline in jumbo credit availability was offset partially by an increase in the conforming index, which increased over the month due to the addition of low down payment programs…(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.