Originations

Bank turmoil caused a reduction in adjustable-rate and refinancings, but jumbo product availability actually grew in April.

The combined companies, which originated three or fewer loans in the state last year, saw minor growth year-over-year, against an overall 41% drop in volume statewide.

Even with lower new insurance written, the six active underwriters remained profitable.

However, the 16% decline was far less than the drop in mortgage volume due to the increased share in purchase transactions.

April interest rate drops provided momentum for an upturn, but more consumers also thought the outlook for buying and selling was headed in a favorable direction, according to Fannie Mae.

Brian O'Shaughnessey's latest venture, Imperial Bancorp, LLC, is set to secure licensing in the next four to six months, when he expects that "spreads and interest rates will tighten and loans will be worth more."

The median price slipped 0.2% in February from a year earlier to $363,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Lenders and brokers have slashed two-thirds of the positions added since 2020, but the question now is whether reducing staffing to the level seen that year will be enough.

Management provided upbeat commentary both about the period and how the second quarter is progressing.

These originators are more than holding their own in a largely male-dominated business.

Earnings dipped for both companies coming in at $236 million and $328.2 million, respectively.

In a quarterly earnings call, CEO Michael Nierenberg said the company was evaluating options and would likely file forms for a new public company in the near future.

A potential pause in the cycle by the Federal Open Market Committee is welcomed by housing industry observers, but inflation and inventory hinder activity.

Meanwhile, the average purchase loan amount surged to its highest level in 2023, showing signs of continued demand amid limited inventory.

Housing costs increased at the slowest pace in over a decade nationwide, even while monthly growth now exceeds its pre-pandemic level.

But the company's earnings were up due to lower loss provisions.

Because the bank occupied a niche in serving ultra high-end consumers, experts question whether its receivership will make other depositories more reluctant to offer jumbo loans.

The latest estimates for its market share in third-party origination channels as others have exited is 17% for correspondent and 2.2% in wholesale.

Trading of the company's securities was immediately suspended for failure to meet minimum shareholder equity levels, a move it agreed with.

The company recorded its first quarter of production-related sequential revenue growth in roughly two years, which supplemented its income from the servicer and real estate business line.