The U.S. mortgage delinquency rate rose in the first quarter, leaving behind the 18-year low from the last quarter of 2018, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. In the first quarter, 4.42% of mortgage borrowers were late on their payments, up from 4.06% in the previous quarter, but the new rate was still the fourth-lowest ever posted. At the same time 0.23% of loans received their first foreclosure notice, down from 0.25% in the 2018 fourth quarter.