Origination

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp had nearly $20 billion in mortgage loan production during the fourth quarter, which led to an almost 15% increase in mortgage banking revenue over the same period in 2009.

Quality-wise originations after the downturn are generally said to be relatively good credits, but beyond that let’s take a closer look at what could shape the 2011 vintage this year.

Housing starts fell to a new yearly low in December with builders breaking ground on just 417,000 single-family units annualized, according to new government figures released Wednesday morning.

Sales were down 3.9% in the Houston area in December, the sixth straight month of declining sales, the local real estate association reports.

MGIC Investment Corp., Milwaukee, posted a loss of $187 million for the fourth quarter, an improvement over the $280 million loss for the same period in 2009, but worse than the $52 million in the third quarter of 2010. Company executives had previously warned the fourth quarter would see a higher loss than the third, however these losses are even higher than what analysts had expected.

Wells Fargo & Co. in the fourth quarter solidified its position as the nation's largest funder of home mortgages, originating $128 billion of loans during the period, its best showing since the second quarter of 2009.

Last week we spoke about our No. 1 marketing strategy (go back to see last week’s article if you missed it) and we told you how dangerous it is to only have one way of generating business. In fact, we even proved it to you.

For the third week in a row mortgage application volume increased as refinance apps have reached their highest level since the start of December, according to new figures released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Sales may be down, starts may be off, but the nation's privately-held home builders still managed to eke out a profit last year.

Financial concerns are paramount for homebuyers 55 years old and older, replacing design considerations, a study from the National Association of Home Builders and the MetLife Mature Market Institute found.