Ginnie Mae

Ginnie Mae is requesting feedback on a new proposed stress test for mortgage-backed securities issuers that would take into account the government agency's increased nonbank counterparty risk.

Liberty Home Equity, a subsidiary of Ocwen Financial, is offering a new private-market alternative to Federal Housing Administration-insured reverse mortgages.

The more than $44 billion in new Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities that came to market in June marked the strongest month for the government bond insurer in more than two years.

The chamber passed a bill that would clarify how certain loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs are securitized, and legislation encouraging first-time homebuyers to participate in counseling programs.

The mortgage agency has hired Eric Blankenstein, who sparked controversy while at the consumer bureau over past revelations of racially charged writings.

Ginnie Mae is examining whether the shift in business to nonbank issuers has implications beyond the risks it has historically looked at, and identifying advantages that should be nurtured as well.

Despite the benefits of going to a fully or hybrid digital mortgage process, some lenders still hesitate to adopt it as fast as expected.

The Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae will use their lagging digital mortgage positions to their advantage as they put an emphasis on building their technology.

Prepayments tied to repeated VA loan refinancing activity have had an adverse effect on Ginnie’s mortgage securities that persists despite countermeasures. The government bond issuer is making new plans to address the impact.

Housing finance reform cannot be piecemeal, but must be done using a comprehensive approach, an independent mortgage banker says.

Issuance of mortgage-backed securities increased and came close to matching 2018 levels in the latest month tracked by Ginnie Mae.

While prepayment speeds on agency mortgage-backed securities rose in April, that increase should be short-lived as further significant interest drops are not expected, said a report from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

The Government Accountability Office called on Ginnie Mae to undertake four reforms to its operations, citing concerns regarding the ongoing shift in size and capitalization of mortgage-backed securities issuers.

Live Well Financial, a reverse and traditional mortgage lender that abruptly stopped originating on May 3, will lay off 103 employees, according to a Virginia Employment Commission filing.

Alarmed about continued high nonmarket-based prepayment rates, Ginnie Mae is requesting input from lenders on how to make the mortgage-backed securities it guarantees fairer to investors without hurting borrowers.

HomeStreet Bank could receive nearly $190 million in total for selling $14 billion in mortgage servicing rights to New Residential and PennyMac, and selling its home loan centers to Homebridge.

Agency mortgage-backed security prepayment speeds increased in February with much of the refinance activity coming from newer loans and those with high coupons, a report from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said.

Ginnie Mae could limit how much servicing income mortgage lenders can sell off through a transaction if they don't establish a minimum 25-basis-point spread at the portfolio level by next year.

Community banks and credit unions fear a Senate plan and other legislative ideas will nullify steps taken by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that have made it easier for smaller institutions to compete.

Policymakers could improve independent mortgage banks' financial stability by giving these companies improved access to liquidity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.