Capital markets

The ability to produce a cohesive, visible audit trail is “like nirvana” for lenders, ICE Mortgage Technology Vice President Christopher McEntee said.

Lending that can fulfill Biden administration aims around equity and supply, like an FHA premium cut or financing for accessory dwelling units, remain possible, but late-cycle housing risk is a concern.

The White House outlined a specific role for the agency in its housing supply agenda, which has not happened before, Ginnie President Alanna McCargo said at the MBA Secondary Conference. Meanwhile, the acting head of the FHFA said preferred stock talks haven’t happened — yet.

Preliminary data from the trade group indicates that mortgage lenders an average of 5 basis points earned per loan as costs reached an all-time high.

Mid America will retain its focus on technology, third-party originations and secondary market executions for specialty products while helping the acquirer expand the scope of its operations.

But the REIT, which invests in mortgages that have to be verified through nontraditional means like bank statements, has seen an improvement in its outlook since the first quarter.

Higher rates and tight margins are affecting its non-QM and conforming businesses.

The portfolio of cash-flows from monthly mortgage payments is on the higher end of a wide range of deals seen in the market this year.

While the company improved on the prior quarter’s results, efficiency measures including layoffs failed to make up for less favorable secondary market conditions.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is shoring up the government-sponsored enterprises’ finances as it returns to considering a mission-centric conservatorship exit, and its related policies have implications for lenders.

Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures Management is leading a $185 million funding round for Canada’s Neo Financial Technologies, propelling it to a valuation of more than $1 billion as it plans expansion into mortgages.

The government-sponsored enterprise on Tuesday priced its fifth Connecticut Avenue Securities transaction this year, making further progress in supporting the market it left during the Trump era.

However, originators selling loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have almost 10 months before the Supplemental Consumer Information is required.

Fair value increases on existing business and an accounting change made for troubled debt restructurings likely explain why its results contrasted those of competitor Freddie Mac.

While the government-sponsored enterprise’s single-family mortgages are still not performing as well as they did before the pandemic, the most recent vintages are getting there.

Improved loan performance, a credit reserve release, higher g-fees and reduced portfolio runoff helped to offset declining single-family loan purchases.

Some Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac packages are attracting offers in the mid-5 times range, MIAC Analytics said.

Mortgage companies, particularly small ones, might have trouble meeting a higher bar set to cover one of the risks that emerged during the pandemic, commenters said during a public listening session.