Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2026) - Mortgage applications increased 3.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 6, 2026.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 3.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 4.1 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index 0.5 percent from the previous week and was 81 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 7.8 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 9.3 percent compared with the previous week and was 11 percent higher than the same week one year ago.

"Financial markets were volatile last week amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Mortgage rates increased on net over the week, while refinance volume was roughly flat. Borrowers in recent weeks were able to get 30-year conforming rates below 6 percent, but with the current volatility, longer-term rates have moved up, pushing up the 30-year fixed rate to 6.19 percent," said Mike Fratantoni, MBA's SVP and Chief Economist. "Purchase activity increased last week, particularly for FHA loans, which moved up more than 11 percent. The pace of homebuying continues to track ahead of last year's pace, with overall purchase volume up 10 percent. More inventory on the market is supporting more transactions."

The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 57.8 percent of total applications from 59.8 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 8.9 percent of total applications.

The FHA share of total applications increased to 17.1 percent from 15.8 percent the week prior. The VA share of total applications decreased to 16.1 percent from 17.1 percent the week prior. The USDA share of total applications remained unchanged at 0.4 percent.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($832,750 or less) increased to 6.19 percent from 6.09 percent, with points increasing to 0.58 from 0.52 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $832,750) increased to 6.26 percent from 6.16 percent, with points decreasing to 0.3 from 0.31 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA increased to 6.02 percent from 5.97 percent, with points increasing to 0.70 from 0.62 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.54 percent from 5.49 percent, with points increasing to 0.68 from 0.60 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 5.26 percent from 5.32 percent, with points increasing to 0.64 from 0.51 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

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The survey covers U.S. closed-end residential mortgage applications originated through retail and consumer direct channels. The survey has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks, thrifts, and credit unions. Base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100.