Secondary

The government sweep of profits from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was defended by the top Treasury Department housing official, who called again for Congress to replace the U.S.-owned mortgage-finance giants.

JPMorgan's follow-up RMBS to its first securitization of 2015 involves a much smaller pool of mortgages.

Some newcomers to mortgage servicing did not hedge because hedging would have increased costs. Had rates moved up, the strategy would have paid off handsomely. Instead, it worked against them.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency won't keep renewing initiatives like the Home Affordable Refinance Program in perpetuity, even if it is extended again before it expires in December, Director Mel Watt said Wednesday.

Weaker appreciation in the low end of the housing market, combined with higher costs to originate mortgages tied to new regulatory compliance obligations, make smaller loans less attractive for lenders.

Hope Now said nearly 1.9 million homeowners received some sort of mortgage assistance in 2014.

Wells Fargo priced $927 million of commercial mortgage securities via its Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust 2015-C27 series, according to a pricing document.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray said a review of its "qualified mortgage" rule will allow enough time to consider changes if lawmakers fail to make progress on housing finance before a key deadline.

The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency issued tax-exempt bonds totaling $95.5 million for six affordable housing development projects in Boston.

The performance of commercial and multifamily mortgages continued to improve during the fourth quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.