Servicing

There's been froth in the U.S. housing markets in recent years. But a drop in activity this year means a bubble won't be a problem for 2014.

The lender can experience problems selling a loan that loses qualified mortgage rule's protection. The lender also could be stuck in a vulnerable position if that loan ultimately defaults.

Rising home prices have emboldened some lenders to search for remaining underwater borrowers who have not refinanced. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but with home purchases scare, lenders have few other options.

PennyMac Financial Services, a mortgage banking company spun off from a distressed asset investor, announced a secondary public offering of existing shares.

The Cincinnati-based bank scored highest in foreclosure prevention. Five of the top 10 servicers were notably absent from the honorees list.

Mortgages at the nation's largest financial institutions continued to improve for the fifth consecutive quarter at the end of last year, an indication that 2013 was a steadier year for mortgage portfolios than the quakes seen following the housing crisis.

The average profit per loan fell 93% from a year earlier to $150 last quarter—the lowest since the trade group started its studies in 2008.

The largest landlords of single-family homes have formed an industry trade group at a time their impact on housing and finance faces scrutiny.

Home prices have come back, but how strong and for how long? Freddie Mac has created a quick way to get a handle on the national and local housing markets.

With more reliable loan data, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would have greater confidence that borrowers would not default. In return, lenders would receive a juicy carrot: fewer buyback requests.