Secondary

With the 10-year Treasury yield getting a boost due to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine news this week, KBW predicts insurers and title underwriters will fare best as recovery continues.

Plans for a first-time homebuyer tax credit and expanded affordable housing opportunities may be attractive to lenders, but they’re wary of increased regulation.

The former FDIC chief oversaw the resolution of hundreds of failed banks during the financial crisis and knows how to build relationships with regulators. Those skills could be crucial in helping Fannie exit federal control.

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.