Secondary

FSOC’s statement on the FHFA’s proposed capital rule raises questions for market participants trying to anticipate a post-conservatorship secondary mortgage market, should the incoming administration go through with the GSEs’ exit from governmental control.

A White House-backed effort to free mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from government control has been cast into doubt by former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory over President Trump.

Also: Waterstone Financial hires its fourth head of mortgage in two years.

The company, which earned $535 million in net income in 3Q20, has been prioritizing purchase volume and managing costs to account for a possible decline in originations next year.

For most of the underwriters it was a strong quarter, but concerns remain over government-sponsored enterprise reform and potential claims after forbearances end.

Under 2.9 million borrowers sit in coronavirus-related forbearance as GSE-backed mortgages drove the latest decrease, according to Black Knight.

The company is finding it challenging to ramp originations back up after spending most of the second quarter on the sidelines.

Mortgage rates are currently the lowest in the history of Freddie Mac’s survey, but sharp differences of opinion persist on whether that will make this a $4-trillion year or not.

Compared with the second quarter, the title insurer had 154,000 more orders opened and earned $89 per residential file.

Brookfield and JV partner Swig Co. are refinancing debt and cashing out $200M in equity in the iconic, sloped-base midtown Manhattan office tower.