Origination

Tree.com lost $1.1 million in the fourth quarter, after experiencing reduced revenue from its lead generation business. It also took a $5.6 million impairment charge on intangible assets.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has decided to shift course before finalizing changes to the good faith estimate form, a project the bureau has been working on diligently since last summer.

What will be the story of this decade in the mortgage industry? It will be the return of the market to normalcy (or a new normal). The question is: when?

The answer to that question is: tight credit with unemployment being the runner-up. Although some naysayers believe the job picture hasn't improved much, there are many realists who think otherwise. But one thing we can agree upon is this: employment is not booming.

An index from the National Association of Realtors that tracks pending home sales edged up 2% in January to the highest level since April 2010 when the government was still handing out homebuyer tax credits.

MetLife may be exiting the residential lending business, but in the commercial mortgage business, it is going strong as it produced over $11 billion in new loans last year, its best year ever. In 2010, the company had production of $8 billion in commercial real estate loans.

Business abandoned by some the nation's largest mortgage lenders as they have shuttered major production channels, or closed shop entirely, has mostly landed at other mortgage giants.

As companies like MetLife exit the business, creating new office and personnel recruitment opportunities for mortgage lenders, a survey from Hammerhouse LLC of originators found that 42% are looking for corporate culture and leadership from a possible new employer.

Testimonials, in their most basic sense, are others selling you and your services. A third party recommendation of your work can be a powerful marketing tool. Someone had a positive experience with you and in turn, has the ability to influence potential clients. If utilized effectively, you can't get a less expensive, more persuasive marketing strategy.

FACTS: On Feb. 13, Patricia Ann King of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax document and to three counts of mail fraud for her role in a mortgage fraud scheme.