Servicing

Under the OCC, a complex foreclosure review process is funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to administrators and advertisements. Critics charge that banks and homeowners would be far better served by a simpler program.

Election or not, the fate of mortgage banking hangs in the regulatory balance.

At least three firms bid on MetLife's $70 billion portfolio of mortgage servicing rights.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray, installed by Persident Obama in January without Senate confirmation, is expected to hold office at least until his recess appointment expires at the end of 2013, no matter the election victor.

Bond prices are improving due to the federal government purchasing mortgage-backed securities, which keeps interest rates low.

Freddie Mac's third-quarter results suggest that the mortgage giant is living off the refi boom: in 3Q its secondary market acquisitions supported home purchases of 1.4 million units, but 5.6 million of refinancings.

Late-stage delinquencies total an additional two million properties and 3.6 million more units are at "immediate serious risk."

In what may be bad news for mortgage lenders, 30% of all California home buyers paid for their property with cash.

Community bankers, which are increasing their presence in residential mortgages, expect to face some tough choices on staying independent.

The Federal Housing Administration, which guarantees 20% of all new mortgages, has raised premiums and tightened credit standards in an effort to avoid asking for a taxpayer subsidy.