The volume of applications for U.S. mortgages increased last week, rising by a seasonally adjusted 5.3 percent, an industry group said.

The Market Composite Index, which measures mortgage loan application volume, rose from 1,113.2 to 1,172.2 in the week ending April 17, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a release Wednesday.

The Refinance Index also increased, up 7.7 percent to 6,540.7, the MBA said.

The average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages increased from 4.7 percent to 4.73 percent with points falling from 1.23 to 1.12, the organization said.

Rates for the average 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged at 4.46 percent. Points in 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages rose from 1.04 to 1.18.