Refinance

Ocwen Financial's cost-cutting initiatives are bearing fruit toward returning to profitability, management said, although the company's third-quarter loss was slightly higher than the same period one year ago.

Inventory shortages, favorable tax policies and a dearth of affordable options caused homeowners to increase the number of years lived in their home, according to a Redfin report.

Early payment mortgage defaults went to the highest level in nearly a decade, particularly among loans included in Ginnie Mae securities, a Black Knight report said.

Nonbank and bank mortgage employment has leveled off in line with typical seasonal trends, but some lenders remain more interested in hiring than is usually the case late in the year.

Freddie Mac is now forecasting back-to-back years of $2 trillion in mortgage loan originations rather than a drop-off in 2020.

More private mortgage insurers reported significant year-over-year gains in new business during the third quarter, mainly driven by the increase in refinance volume.

Record originations helped Mr. Cooper Group generate its first full-quarter profit since its formation through a merger between WMIH and Nationstar last year.

Mortgage applications increased slightly from one week earlier even as rates reached their highest level since July, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Home lenders will benefit from elevated refinance activity through the first half of next year, but volume may then fall off quickly, according the Mortgage Bankers Association's latest forecast.

The acquisition of the Ditech forward mortgage business will double New Residential's year-to-date origination volume in the fourth quarter alone, and further double that next year.