Compliance

The qualified mortgage rule, reduced refi activity and ongoing commoditization are forcing smaller institutions to take a hard look at exiting the mortgage origination business.

Americans flush with cash as they regain equity in their homes are spending more after years of pinching pennies.

Back in the 1990s when Ed Fay graduated from business school, his goal was not to own a mortgage company, or to be the boss. Then the mortgage crisis started.

Fear of missing opportunities while the market is near its bottom will drive purchases as the Federal Reserve slowly ends the quantitative easing that puts downward pressure on rates.

Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae investment vehicles averaged returns of about -1% to -3% over the course of the year when Federal Reserve policy and long-term rate trends changed.

Rising house prices are making it easier for second-lien borrowers to refinance.

The Prestwick Mortgage Group offering of the servicing rights on mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance of $187 million is getting closer to deadline.

The PGA Design Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., which backs a securitized $30 million mortgage sold for only $5.6 million, according to local media reports.

The bank is training the group as a way to increase lending without losing control of quality, according to Brad Blackwell, head of portfolio lending for the San Francisco-based lender.

Through December, 31% of residential properties in the foreclosure process now have some equity.

The vast majority of loans originated today will qualify for the safe harbor.

Competition is likely to heat up given that companies show more optimism about their individual production than that of the market as a whole, a Mortgage Bankers Association survey shows.

The Mortgage Industry Advisory Corp. has named MDS principal Kent Loehrke a managing director as a result of the acquisition.

While there are some home sellers who are willing to accept the Internet currency for their property, the inherent volatility makes it difficult in a financed transaction.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could consider expanding exemptions for small lenders from its qualified mortgage rule after it goes into effect on Friday, according to Richard Cordray, the agency's director.

Managing credit unions in a rising interest-rate environment along with the pressure to write more consumer loans to offset falling mortgage lending will be key challenges to the credit union community this year, say top industry economists.

Taylor Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. and Home America Mortgage resolved allegations that they falsified loan applications and misrepresented qualifications of applicants to secure federally funded insurance for home loans that ultimately defaulted.

Industry groups back bill that requires FEMA to conduct affordability study.

Thomas H. Lee Partners owns 35% of each of Black Knight’s operating units.

Recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau actions suggest the agency is poised to utilize the ambiguous Unfair Deceptive Acts and Practices standards to the fullest extent.