Originations

As home lenders fret about a forthcoming regulatory proposal on risk retention, Freddie Mac soon will require a little more skin in the game from their borrowers.

At least 20 lenders are participating in FHA's principal reduction program to refinance underwater borrowers with two major lender/servicers launching pilot programs of their own, according to Federal Housing Commissioner David Stevens.

Mortgage insurer Old Republic International Corp., Chicago, hopes to raise $500 million through a pair of concurrent debt offerings.

Mortgage technology vendor DocMagic is claiming early victory in its lawsuit against origination system provider Ellie Mae, as both sides await a federal judge's written ruling from a pretrial hearing held Monday.

Mortgage technology vendor DocMagic is claiming an early victory in its lawsuit against origination system provider Ellie Mae, as both sides await a federal judge's written ruling from a pretrial hearing held on Monday.

Redwood Trust on Tuesday closed its second jumbo MBS deal within 10 months, boasting that the economics on the transaction support private-sector financing of prime mortgages at rates within 0.5% of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac instruments.

The most successful people when it comes to retirement planning are the "preemptive planners," those that look to prevent future risks or at least their consequences. But a recent MetLife Mature Market Institute study finds many are not preparing for the unexpected events that could interfere with their plans.

It is not enough that mortgage origination firms have to differentiate themselves to consumers. These companies, especially those in the branching business, must also differentiate themselves to industry insiders in order to hire the people who are the best fit.

Mortgage application volume declined 6.5% for the week ending Feb. 25 even though the average contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate loan fell 16 basis points, according to figures released Wednesday morning by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Total Mortgage Services LLC, Milford, Conn., this week promoted retail/wholesale underwriting manager Erik Martin to the newly created post of national sales manager for its retail channel.

Thrift institutions originated $42.2 billion of single-family loans in the fourth quarter, up nearly 17% from the prior period, according to figures released by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

In our past few articles, we have been discussing the one sentence that will generate more clients for you. Here’s the sentence: People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions and help them throw rocks at their enemies.

Do you have any idea where the term “correspondent lending” came from? How about “amortization?” You will if you read a new book from an unusual author, a mortgage banker who has been in the trenches for many years.

The Treasury Department, which controls almost 75% of Ally Financial, named investment banker John Durrett to the bank holding company's board of directors.

Homebuyers struggling to come up with a 20% downpayment can rely on relatives or others to put up half the money under a risk retention proposal federal regulators are about to unveil.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is working on a one-page RESPA/TILA disclosure form that will be "low cost" for lenders to fill out, according to Treasury advisor Elizabeth Warren who is managing the new bureau's inception.

The Eleventh Federal Home Loan District Cost of Funds Index fell two basis points in January, to 1.484%. This is the 10th consecutive month of decline in the index, which has been used by some West Coast lenders to set adjustable-rate mortgages.

California's home builders are hoping for a better year this year than last. But January didn't start off with much of a bang.

Federal regulators have drafted a 'qualified residential mortgage' rule that mandates a 20% downpayment for such loans while leaving mortgage insurance totally out of the equation -- a move that could prolong the housing recession in several states and decimate the mortgage insurance industry.

Essent Guaranty Inc., the nation's newest private mortgage insurer, says it will protect mortgage lenders from having their claims "unfairly denied for immaterial misrepresentation, underwriting errors and missing documents."