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With 2015 in full swing, National Mortgage News is taking a look at the biggest trends and topics that will shape 2015.

Madison International Realty in New York has acquired 5.3% of the outstanding shares of Monogram Residential Trust.

As a result of certain court decisions, government agencies like the Federal Housing Administration have even more latitude in pursuing these claims against lenders.

Leading commercial real estate lenders expect loan volume in 2015 to top 2014, driven by refinancing of maturing debt and strong market fundamentals.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group could pay a fine to settle claims of misconduct in its handling of U.S. mortgage securities as early as this quarter, a person with knowledge of the matter said.

SunTrust Banks will provision $145 million in its fourth quarter results for legal expenses related to previously disclosed mortgage issues, the company said in a regulatory filing Monday.

Kenneth Phelan was hired by the U.S. Treasury Department for the newly created position of chief risk officer, a role he previously took at Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Fannie Mae in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

American Homes 4 Rent, the largest publicly traded investor in single-family rental homes, has acquired a pool of properties from a subsidiary of Ellington Management Group, in what could be a sign of further consolidation in the industry.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., has sold nearly $267 million of commercial loans to an investor group.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell after the Times reported in London that the U.K. lender could pay at least $7.7 billion to resolve claims of misconduct in its handling of U.S. mortgage securities.