Secondary

Private-equity funds and hedge fund players have become more active buyers of mortgage-servicing rights as traditional investors withdraw from the market.

Bill Emerson, chief executive of Quicken Loans, said at a recent conference that the threat of government probes and a lack of regulatory clarity are making FHA lending less attractive.

Purchases of new homes slumped more than forecast in March from a seven-year high, a sign progress in the industry will be halting.

Freddie Mac's latest sale of risk-sharing bonds, its biggest yet, was structured in a way that will help reduce the earnings volatility that's added to concerns that the mortgage giant may again need to tap taxpayer funds.

Stock Yards Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., reported much better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter one the strength of higher mortgage revenue and net interest income.

Tricon Capital Group, which has been acquiring single-family rental homes in the U.S. since 2012 through Tricon American Homes, is planning its first securitization.

As banks have largely ceded the market for government-backed loans to nonbank lenders and servicers, it's fallen on Ginnie Mae to be sure that these nonbanks can meet their obligations to bondholders. It's a huge concern for President Ted Tozer, who says the company does not have the resources or manpower to examine these firms' finances.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt just made one of the biggest policy decisions of his 14-month tenure — but so far it has hardly caused a ripple on Capitol Hill.

A company that previously partnered with JPMorgan and Credit Suisse on private mortgage securitizations is now marketing its own.

Some mortgage-bond investors are criticizing a change in Freddie Mac debt that increases the risk of loss from homeowners who can't afford their loans.