Originations

What is most important to banks and other mortgage lending institutions—fast appraisals or high-quality appraisals?Any self-respecting appraiser or appraisal management company would like to hear that the answer to that question is “quality above all else”—hands down.

Loan officers working for nonbank lenders and brokerage firms are an unhappy lot these days. Not only do LOs face depleted earnings prospects thanks to a pending Federal Reserve rule on compensation, but they're looking at higher licensing costs, and fewer choices in the secondary market as wholesalers ponder their future in the sector.

Mortgage origination services and technology at Lender Processing Services generated annual and quarterly revenue gains in the fourth quarter of 2010, including a 31.8% spike in settlement services revenue. But LPS said its Loan Facilitation Services segment operates in a sector likely to see marketwide potential revenue dive nearly 30% in 2011.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has egg on its face this morning: A year ago the trade group sold its (somewhat) brand new "green" office building for just $41 million, taking a $34 million loss on the deal.

Personal energy is the only real asset that you have and you must protect it fearlessly. Unlike your car’s need for fuel, your personal need for energy is very complicated. The consequence of running low on personal energy is very damaging to your life.

Mortgage companies ended the year with 260,600 full-time employees on their payrolls, down slightly from 261,400 in December 2009.

Despite the attempt in the Dodd-Frank Act to preserve thrift institutions, a recent report on the elimination of the Office of Thrift Supervision is bolstering the view that the charter will exist in name only.

With expectations rising that the White House and Congress will allow the GSE loan limit fall to $625,500 next fall, more investment banking firms — and even commercial banks — are exploring the idea of creating jumbo conduits.

The nation's five largest funders of home mortgages — most of which fall into the 'megabank' category — had a blowout fourth quarter in terms of residential originations, with one glaring exception: Bank of America.

Freddie Mac's multifamily business had $15 billion in volume for 2010, down from $17 billion in 2009. The totals cover both its whole loan and bond guarantee business.

Radian Group Inc., Philadelphia lost $1.1 billion for the fourth quarter and $1.9 billion for 2010 as the company took a non-cash charge of $841.5 million to establish a valuation allowance against substantially the company's entire net deferred tax assets.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose slightly in Freddie Mac’s survey for the week ending Feb. 3.

MortgageDashboard has launched an online community to promote communication among the customers of its loan origination system products.

Texans bought and sold fewer homes last year than the year before, but prices held their own, the Texas Association of Realtors reported.

Are you super challenged about the state of your business? Take note. There is a reason that old adages become old adages; it is because they say something true.

Fraud relating to title and settlement services agents could be classified as a crime of opportunity. On his website, the sheriff of Jefferson County, Colo., Ted Mink, notes that such crimes occur because the property involved is very easily made available to a potential perpetrator.

Genworth Financial posted a $161 million loss in the fourth quarter after adding $350 million of loss reserves for its mortgage insurance division.

In January, the 30-day plus delinquency rate on multifamily mortgages continued to climb, according to new figures compiled by Trepp LLC.

Eastern Mortgage Capital originated a nearly $10.34 million Federal Housing Administration-backed commercial refinance mortgage for the Cortland Place Health Center in Greenville, R.I.

In last week's article we spoke about 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.