Origination

ReverseVision has launched an online education platform aimed at teaching lending professionals about reverse mortgages.

The share of California homes sold in nondistressed, traditional sales transactions is at its highest level in seven years, according to data from the California Association of Realtors.

Servicing income rose last year but not enough to offset other expenses.

The government is not providing enough support to serve a wider range of homeowners, many lenders say. But it's doubtful that the private market can do much better at this point.

Prior to 2006, the industry primarily relied on enforcing lender representations and warranties. Recent widespread litigation has shown the immense costs of relying on cures. Prevention is a better solution.

Mortgage originators do not meet two of the eight required tests to qualify for tax purposes as statutory employees.

JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are retaining more high-quality, conforming mortgages that they would normally sell to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, raising concerns that the banks are adversely selecting the weakest loans for the government-sponsored enterprises.

Mortgage rates fell for a fourth week, reducing borrowing costs for homebuyers during the key spring selling season.

Bank buyers and sellers should pay attention to the Fed's recent approval of Cullen/Frost's acquisition of WNB Bancshares. Cullen/Frost had to agree to improve its fair lending and other functions, underscoring the importance of buyers who work well in resolving compliance and other problems with regulators.

White papers don’t always get much respect in our industry, probably because so many are just veiled brochures, pitching products and services.