The enterprise was able to improve on its year-over-year number for loan purchases and earnings in the seasonally weak period, but both were down on a consecutive quarter basis.

Both purchase and refinance activity slowed, with inflation likely to keep interest rates at challenging levels for future borrowers, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Plaintiffs seeking class certification claim the bank uses an underwriting system that discriminates against minority mortgage applicants.

Profits in the originations and servicing segment at Newrez drove earnings, while a possible spinoff of Rithm's mortgage operations is still seen as a "work in progress," according to company leaders.

Consolidation has slowed since the pandemic, but UMB's agreement to buy Heartland Financial — the largest deal in three years — is one of several merger announcements in the past two weeks. Talks among other potential buyers and sellers are said to be picking up.