Servicing

In another sign of strong demand by investors for nonperforming residential mortgages, the asset class is edging closer to more rated, public securitizations — a rarity in this largely opaque market.

Fitch Ratings issued an industrywide report Tuesday on U.S.-based commercial mortgage-backed securities. The report highlights positive signs of progress but also says the sector has, "room for improvement."

New York-based real estate investment trust Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has completed $190 million in investments that include the recent acquisition of a minority ownership in KBC Bank Deutschland AG.

Revest Asset Management said today that it has begun Community Partners Limited Partnership, a $10 million private equity fund focused on distressed U.S. residential real estate.

The Mortgage Bankers Association continues to push back against regulations stemming from the financial crisis, as the industry's biggest lobbying group continues pushing for regulatory relief to bolster the housing market — and boost profits for its members.

Deutsche Bank AG is exploring the sale of about $2 billion of U.S. commercial real estate loans held by the bank's Special Situations Group, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Mortgage insurer Radian Guaranty Inc. reported a nearly 5.6% month-over-month increase in the volume of new primary mortgage insurance written in September while claims on delinquent loans declined.

Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust announced on Monday a $150 million private offering of convertible senior notes due 2017.

Springleaf Holdings has sold $1 billion in securitized real estate loans as part of a previously announced mortgage liquidation plan.

Regulators recently offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of what areas they are targeting for enforcement, saying that potential fair lending violations like redlining and how mortgages are priced and serviced remain top priorities for the future.