Origination

Are you a “Success Superstar?” Success can be defined in many ways. One definition is “the achievement of one’s goals.” Your goal last year might have been to be included in the list of Top 200 Loan Originators for 2013. Did you accomplish that goal? Or maybe it was to lose 10 pounds, gain 10 new referral partners, or even spend more time with your family and read more books.

Lenders should avoid repeated mistakes in their process as they could be used as evidence of a fraudulent intention to originate loans without proper safeguards and underwriting processes.

Higher rates, mounting costs and the opportunity to lend to underserved borrowers have pushed some residential lenders to lower their minimum FICO scores, despite broader reluctance to take more risk in a heavily-regulated market.

Housing and lending groups are urging the government sponsored enterprise regulator and conservator to keep the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits where they are for now.

The title insurance industry generated $12.7 billion in written premiums during 2013, up 11.5% from the prior year.

Most housing markets are faring better than they did in the depths of the recession, but the recovery still has a long way to go.

Lenders and servicers are worried about the cost of dealing with widows and widowers who didn't sign the mortgages if they can't be foreclosed upon.

The former Wells Fargo Home Mortgage loan officer faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

Lenders won't be getting an eighth active mortgage insurance underwriter to choose from after all. But they may get repaid faster on claims from a carrier that's been winding down.

This sector is constrained by numerous and often complex issues, which span across the mortgage lifecycle, and affect a wide array of market participants, from the homeowner to the investor.