Origination

Although the banking industry had its best quarter since the start of the financial crisis, the number of depositories at risk of failing in 1Q accounted for nearly 12% of the sector – the highest reading in 18 years.

Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver, Wash., this week inked a deal with Security One Lending, allowing the CU to offer its customers reverse mortgages.

The much-maligned Capital Purchase Program — better known as the bank bailout — is turning out to be a decent investment for the federal government.

Shore Financial Services Inc., Birmingham, Mich., has hired David Hall as president of its retail mortgage division, replacing Robert Rahal, who was promoted to vice chairman of the company.

Freddie Mac is coming to market with a $538 million commercial MBS deal backed by 19 multifamily properties owned by Apartment Investment & Management Co.

Web giant Google has built off its early results providing mortgage rate searches by launching a one-stop shopping tool for consumers, allowing them to compare residential loans, and other consumer banking products.

Less than two years after it acquired Federal Trust Bank in Sanford, Fla., so it could qualify for a federal bailout, insurance giant Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is selling the thrift to another Florida banking company.

Distressed home sales in California accounted for 48% of all purchase transactions in April, a three-point decline from the prior month, according to new figures compiled by the California Association of Realtors.

Republican lawmakers have drafted a proposal that would raise the minimum downpayment on Federal Housing Administration loans to 5% and drastically scale back the size of the federal mortgage insurance program, according to trade group officials familiar with the effort.

WASHINGTON—If the audience’s response during a special session on mortgage credit at the National Association of Realtors’ Midyear Legislative Meetings is any indication, appraisals are still a big issue for frontline realty agents.