Origination

The next 12 months could be a rather bumpy ride for the mortgage industry as consumers take more control over the loan origination process.

Golden First Mortgage Corp. agreed to a $36 million settlement of claims that the company — which allegedly saw 60% of its government underwritten loans go into default since 2002 — defrauded a federal mortgage program.

Take a look back at National Mortgage News' top stories of 2014.

The Harnessing Mobile Award commends the development and implementation of mobile technology in the mortgage industry. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Mortgage rates ended 2014 near their annual lows, Freddie Mac reported Wednesday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is an uncomfortable spot in 2015, caught between a Republican majority already critical of its recent actions and an Obama administration bent on increasing access to credit in part by using the agency's powers.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rose in November as employment gains and low borrowing costs helped bring potential buyers into the market.

The Lasting Impact Award honors an individual, group or company responsible for a technology initiative or development proven to have an enduring influence that's transformed mortgage finance. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

Incentives for companies aren't the same as incentives for people. The QRM risk-retention rule doesn't solve "IBG, YBG" — "I'll be gone, you'll be gone." Banks appear to have been slow to adopt clawback policies for individual lenders.

Activist investment firm Corvex Management reported a 7.1% stake in American Realty Capital Properties, the U.S. real estate investment trust that has plunged since disclosing accounting errors two months ago.