Origination

Despite regulatory constraints on servicing transfers that affect large players, increased compliance costs and capital ratio requirements are a bigger burden for smaller servicers to bear.

MainStreet, a mortgage investment company in New York, has launched a crowdfunding site for lending and investing in commercial real estate.

Though the refinance boom is over and several mortgage giants are reeling as originations decline, some credit unions are thriving as they tap into a new source — first-time homebuyers.

Another important concern when it comes to the safety of borrowers' home loan information is physical location. There have been many physical loan files stolen, as well as computers.

The new owners of Ditech Mortgage, the consumer direct lender that ruled the subprime-era airwaves with its "Lost another loan to Ditech!" ads, will revive another of its precrisis marketing efforts by sponsoring the NASCAR driver.

Residential mortgage originator PrimeLending has entered into a new business relationship with LifeLock, a provider of identity theft protection services.

Ginnie Mae President Ted Tozer is urging credit unions and community banks to contact their Federal Home Loan Bank so they can participate in a conduit program for government-backed loans.

Nope, it's not more money, at least not directly. The key to hiring a good loan officer, or retaining one, is said to be showing that your mortgage shop can close loans on time, act professionally and protect employees' reputations in the market.

Ellington Financial in Old Greenwich, Conn., has made a minority investment in retail reverse mortgage loan originator Longbridge Financial.

FirstBank Mortgage Partners in Jackson, Tenn., has agreed to pay $35,000 to settle allegations that it violated the Fair Housing Act by denying a mortgage loan to an applicant on maternity leave.