Mortgage Applications Declined 5.3% in Week Ending October 16

Washington, DC, October 21, 2026—Mortgage applications decreased 5.3% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 16, 2026. 

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 5.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 5% compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 2% from the previous week and was 59% lower than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 7% from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased 7% compared with the previous week and was 18% lower than the same week one year ago.