WASHINGTON–Mortgage credit availability decreased 1.3% in June, falling to a score of 103.7 on the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI).

According to the MBA, the report, which analyzes data from ICE Mortgage Technology, reveals mortgage credit increased 1.2% for conventional loans but decreased 1.7% for government loans.

Credit availability for jumbo loans decreased by 0.7% while credit for conforming loans fell by 2.2%.

The MBA said a decrease in the index score indicates that lending standards are tightening, while increases are indicative of loosening credit. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012.

Numbers Reverse 6 Months of Growth

“Credit availability decreased in June after six months of growth, primarily led by fewer programs with low minimum credit scores,” says Joel Kan, vice president and deputy chief economist for the MBA, in a statement. “There was also a reduction in streamline refinance programs. With the job market softening, and increasing mortgage delinquency rates, some lenders are tightening up their credit offerings. Jumbo credit availability decreased slightly overall relative to the previous month, but the availability of non-agency loan programs increased slightly.”