Origination

Lennar Corp., the second-largest U.S. homebuilder, reported a higher-than-expected profit for its fiscal first quarter as the nation's job gains bolstered demand for real estate purchases.

Home values in 20 U.S. cities kept climbing in January, a sign the limited supply of available properties may push prices out of reach for some buyers.

A jury awarded Mount Olympus Mortgage Co. more than $25 million in a lawsuit alleging "corporate espionage" by former employee Benjamin Anderson and his new employer, Guaranteed Rate.

Appellate courts are officially playing pingpong with underwriters' employment status, leaving lenders to decide whether or not they qualify as employees exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay — and open to regulatory scrutiny.

The National Credit Union Administration said it has accepted a $29 million offer of judgment from Credit Suisse to resolve claims arising from losses related to purchases of residential mortgage-backed securities by Members United and Southwest Corporate Credit Unions.

LoanLogics has raised $10 million in new capital that the mortgage software vendor plans to use to support its growth.

Redwood Trust has promoted its chief financial officer, Christopher Abate, to replace its departing president, Brett Nicholas.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rebounded more than forecast in February as sales picked up in most of the U.S., a good sign as the spring-selling season approaches.

Home prices rose 5.3% in January compared to the previous year, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to sell $26 million of distressed assets associated with its pending purchase of Park Bancorp in Chicago.