Finance

Take a look back at National Mortgage News' top stories of 2014.

Giant servicer expects to break up existing private-label mortgage securities and resecuritize $5 billion of the loans over two years.

Bank servicers have a compliance dilemma: they need to quickly shed mortgage-servicing rights ahead of Basel III at a time when regulators are keeping a close watch on the manner in which transfers are handled.

Ocwen Financial's settlement with New York regulators could have a negative impact on the cash flows of mortgage bonds heavily exposed to loans serviced by Ocwen in that state, according to Moody's Investors Service.

The Justice Department is aiming to settle a probe into Morgan Stanley's subprime mortgage business by early 2015.

Activist investment firm Corvex Management reported a 7.1% stake in American Realty Capital Properties, the U.S. real estate investment trust that has plunged since disclosing accounting errors two months ago.

Data Facts Inc., a mortgage credit report and verification services provider based in Cordova, Tenn., has adopted AccountChek, a deposit verification service provided by FormFree.

Mortgage rates stayed near their 2014 lows despite rising slightly, according to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey released Wednesday.

Wells Fargo, HSBC, Bank of New York Mellon and Deutsche Bank were sued by an Irish securities firm that claims the banks failed to protect investors in their role as trustees of securities backed by home loans that defaulted after the 2008 credit crisis.

The government-sponsored enterprises' changes to their representations and warranties regulations could increase lending — and some risks. Here's the downside to the move and how lenders can mitigate related concerns.

Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN) was ordered to face a lawsuit by New York's attorney general accusing the bank of fraud in sales of mortgage-backed securities before the recession.

The Release of the Year Award recognizes a new software, platform, alliance or initiative that's expected to have the broadest future impact on the mortgage industry. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Federal regulators formally issued a final risk retention rule for mortgage securitizations, a long-awaited and hotly debated measure that is nevertheless expected to have little market impact when it takes effect a year from now.

The bank is piloting one conduit for jumbo mortgages and another for Ginnie Mae-eligible loans.

The 3%-down payment mortgage has been made available to consumers with a speed rarely seen in this business, in large part because more lenders than ever are selling loans directly to Fannie and Freddie.

Farmland Partners has expanded its secured note line of credit with Farmer Mac to $150 million, from $75 million.

NCUA has filed suit against another big banking company over mortgage-backed securities.

Black Knight Financial Services Inc., a mortgage-technology company formed from businesses previously owned by Lender Processing Services Inc., filed for a $100 million initial public offering.

The Servicing Trailblazer Award acknowledges a servicer or vendor initiative, product or platform that uses technology to optimize mortgage portfolio management and ensures efficient communication with borrowers, investors and the mortgage servicing support industry. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

As the real estate market ramps back up, lenders are looking for ways to diversify their portfolios, even if the returns are slim.