Finance

Private-equity funds and hedge fund players have become more active buyers of mortgage-servicing rights as traditional investors withdraw from the market.

Regulators recently penalized a mortgage firm for keeping a file of licensing-test questions to prep exam takers, the first public challenge to what is believed to be a hushed, but longtime, industry practice.

Purchases of new homes slumped more than forecast in March from a seven-year high, a sign progress in the industry will be halting.

Freddie Mac's latest sale of risk-sharing bonds, its biggest yet, was structured in a way that will help reduce the earnings volatility that's added to concerns that the mortgage giant may again need to tap taxpayer funds.

Stock Yards Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., reported much better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter one the strength of higher mortgage revenue and net interest income.

Tricon Capital Group, which has been acquiring single-family rental homes in the U.S. since 2012 through Tricon American Homes, is planning its first securitization.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt just made one of the biggest policy decisions of his 14-month tenure — but so far it has hardly caused a ripple on Capitol Hill.

A company that previously partnered with JPMorgan and Credit Suisse on private mortgage securitizations is now marketing its own.

Some mortgage-bond investors are criticizing a change in Freddie Mac debt that increases the risk of loss from homeowners who can't afford their loans.

Fannie Mae has incorporated Collateral Underwriter into its Desktop Underwriter and EarlyCheck offerings.

M&T Bank in Buffalo reported an increase in its first-quarter profit on the strength of higher mortgage banking revenue, but its results fell well short of analysts’ estimates as loan growth failed to meet expectations.

SunTrust Banks in Atlanta reported higher first-quarter profit as stronger fee income and lower expenses helped offset a drop in income from lending.

The final rule outlining new criteria for private mortgage insurers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans lacks a key feature that industry participants had sought: the ability to count future insurance premiums towards capital reserves.

Consumers may see little change in the ultimate cost of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans despite a restructuring of certain loan fees announced Friday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

While most structured finance should withstand the effects of a rate rise courtesy of the Federal Reserve, faster increases could threaten to shock markets for commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, according to Fitch Ratings.

Carrington Capital Management will challenge a court decision to award contractual damages to an investor it blocked from pulling money out of a mortgage securities fund it managed in 2007.

Interest rates remained stable as the real estate industry eyes the start of spring home-buying season, according to Freddie Mac.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, in Olney, Md., reported an increase in quarterly profit because of an increase in mortgage revenue.

FHFA's reduction appears likely to involve loan level price adjustments that the two government-sponsored enterprises charge borrowers and adverse market fees charged on every loan, but not a guarantee fee reduction that the industry has sought.

Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., reported first-quarter earnings of $39.1 million, up 13% from a year earlier, as loans increased and mortgage revenue rose.