Origination

The annual retirement survey conducted by Wells Fargo & Co. found that 76% of middle class Americans said it is important to have a specific amount of money saved before retirement, while only 20% said it was more important to retire at a specific age, regardless of savings.

Application volume fell by 11.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ended Nov. 25, with the data adjusted to take into account Thanksgiving, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

In a worst case scenario investors in bonds issued by The PMI Group could lose upwards of $737 million because the notes are considered "unsecured" according to court papers issued in the mortgage insurer's bankruptcy filing.

Congress has opened the door for FHA lenders to originate jumbo loans of up to $729,750 without being crowded out of the market by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products.

Radian Guaranty is seeking waivers in 12 states of risk-to-capital requirements, even though it does have $600 million in capital at the parent company level available to downstream to the mortgage insurer, chief financial officer Bob Quint said during a presentation at the FBR Capital Markets Fall Investor Conference.

Guggenheim Partners affiliate Pillar Multifamily LLC has agreed to buy Fannie Mae eligible loans sourced by Tremont Realty Capital LLC under a correspondent agreement between the two companies.

WASHINGTON—Although the chances are slim, the conforming loan limit in a few high-cost markets could rise on Jan. 1.

I have some questions for all the owners of small mortgage origination shops: are you running your business like it is a business? Do you have the systems in place to examine what is succeeding in your business and what needs to be dropped or even eliminated? Or are you doing things by the seat of your pants, lacking the proper data to back up your decisions?

Fannie Mae in early November cut 160 full-time workers, including a handful of vice presidents, including one with almost 30 years of service.

New home sales rose 1.3% in October after September sales were revised downward, according to new government figures released Monday.