Originations

An index of contract signings held at 74.8 after climbing a revised 4.2% a month earlier to the highest level since March, according to National Association of Realtors data released Wednesday.

Mortgage loan application volume jumped 7.1% on a seasonally-adjusted basis last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

While Rocket Mortgage's satisfaction score improved by 4% versus 2024, the industry as a whole dropped 1%, with credit unions outpacing banks and IMBs.

Late-stage mortgage delinquencies hit the highest level since January 2020 in September, a new report from VantageScore found.

RoundPoint's corporate parent generated positive comprehensive income with the legal expense excluded and expanded its subservicing activity.

Fannie Mae revised its economic and housing outlook for 2025 and 2026, projecting mortgage rates to hit 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively.

Bill Pulte's X post has the industry excited that loan level price adjustments could change, but the impact would not be as beneficial as some think, KBW said.

The industry analyst also described the significant refinance opportunity should rates decline slightly, and the threshold where home prices soften or firm up.

The company cited efforts to improve profitability behind its decision, with Popular joining a line of other banks in ending mortgage operations in 2025.

The mortgage unit of Hilltop Holdings lost $7.2 million pretax in the third quarter with lower volume, following making a small profit three months prior.

Companies reported positive numbers but see challenges in a sluggish housing environment, as federal pressure ramps up to address affordability.

On a year-over-year basis, Waterstone's mortgage business was able to grow pretax profits to $1.3 million in the third quarter, compared with $144,000 in 2024.

While expectations that another federal rate cut is on the way next week, other economic trends may be having a larger influence on mortgage lending.

Contract closings increased 1.5% to an annual rate of 4.06 million in September, the highest in seven months, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Thursday.

Forbearance or refinancing may help some, workarounds can keep many mainstream loans moving and one type of uncertainty does have an upside for rates.

While the Federal Open Market Committee has yet to meet this month, investor pricing of longer-term bonds helped mortgages by 11 basis points, Wallethub said.

While purchase volume is up 20% from last year, it was 5% lower than one week ago, although a 4% increase in refinance activity helped pick up the slack.

Top industry minds emphasized they're still bullish on the technology and said humans will still provide irreplaceable traits like empathy and trust.

The company's servicing valuations fell but by less than in previous quarters. Lower rates both aided production and created recapture opportunities.

Kin, a direct-to-consumer insurance provider, has started a mortgage broker in Florida which also takes loan applications through a call center or online.