Mortgage defaults

While fading 9.53% annually, February mortgage delinquencies posted a month-over-month increase for the first time in 12 years, according to Black Knight.

Servicers that fail to give borrowers access to digital collection methods are missing out on a chance to improve delinquency rates and lower costs.

Fewer Hawaii property owners fell into foreclosure last year in continuation of a trend that began in 2014, according to state data.

The foreclosure rate in the Tampa Bay area was unchanged between 2017 and 2018 despite a drop in the percentage of homes that were seriously delinquent on their mortgages.

Strong loan performance continued into December as all delinquency stages fell annually behind equity gains and the sustained rise of home prices, according to CoreLogic.

Whether through greater investments in technology and talent, or streamlining back-end processes to improve the decision-making process, mortgage servicers are doing more to prioritize borrowers. Here's a look at seven of these borrower-focused initiatives and how they're reshaping mortgage servicing.

Mortgage prepayment speeds fell to a 19-year trough despite recent interest rate declines, but could rise if those lower rates lead to an increase in home purchases, according to Black Knight.

Fewer mortgage borrowers are falling behind on their payments, and consumers' broader borrowing habits indicate an increased willingness to turn to nontraditional sources like fintechs for their lending needs, according to TransUnion.

The funds the bank promised to spend on consumer relief will instead be used to make new home loans, according to a report by the monitor of its 2017 settlement with the U.S. Justice Department.

Mortgage delinquencies in the fourth quarter were at their lowest level in nearly 19 years, helped by wage growth, low household debt and low unemployment, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.