Origination

The consumer price index increased 3.4% in the year through December, the most in three months, led by increases in shelter costs.

The agency plans to restrict access to a system that provides borrower tax returns to mortgage lenders beginning June 30. Left out of the loop, small-business lenders say getting credit to borrowers will become more difficult as a result.

Both companies saw their stock rating cut because of their current valuation, similar to why Rocket's was previously dropped. They declined comment on the move.

Both purchases and refinances contributed to the weekly surge, with growth in government-backed volumes outpacing the overall market, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Overall, U.S. home prices increased 5.4% in the year ending in November, CoreLogic's latest Home Price Index report found.

Analysis conducted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency found values coming in under contract price as often as 15% of the time in recent years, with appraisers failing to account for quickly changing market conditions.

Industry consolidation has resulted in fewer conventional and government loan programs being offered to consumers.

While several communities offer monetary incentives to attract new residents, some are making overtures with down payment and other types of assistance aimed at building up their local housing markets.

Gravy Technologies offers a consumer-facing app, along with a white-label service for mortgage lenders aimed at accelerating their marketing efforts.

Tracy Kasper's departure follows the November exit of former CEO Bob Goldberg.