Servicing

Investors who purchase distressed loans at a discount are among those in a good position to sense how problem assets might best be resolved, and one of these players believes more aggressive refis and mods and fewer government constraints on lending could help.

New government aid programs for troubled homeowners are forcing cost-cutting banks into a tricky balancing act.

We all wish we could have just stayed in bed some days, and Bank of America officials have had more than their share of those days in the past week.

The CMBS market paralleled broader markets last week with buyers preparing for quarter end. The spreads were roughly unchanged week-over-week as trading volume slowed, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts.

Moody's Investors Service is warning that it may downgrade Assured Guaranty Corp., Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., and all affiliated insurance operating companies, an action that might make it difficult for the bond insurer to attract new business.

Bankrupt bond insurer Ambac Financial Group Inc. had a net loss of $963 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Phoenix-based Arizona State Credit Union said it has accepted 167 applications for the Home Affordable Refinance Program in its efforts to help underwater homeowners obtain more affordable mortgages.

The loss of revenue from the naming rights of the Kodak Theatre is negatively impacting the commercial mortgage-backed security that includes a mortgage for the renamed Hollywood and Highland Center, according to a report last week by analysts at Deutsche Bank Securities.

HSBC's residential lending and servicing business continues to be under what the bank calls a "strategic review," leaving its mortgage workers in limbo.

Despite being ranked by LendingTree as two of the worst housing markets in the nation, recent data show that Florida and Illinois are on a positive track towards a recovery.