Originations

Demand was strongest at the high end of the market, which pushed loan amounts up for the fourth straight month.

But the government-sponsored enterprise raised its total origination volume forecast for 2021 based on slightly stronger than expected refinance activity.

A spike in government-sponsored applications helped lead indexes to their largest gains in several weeks.

The move makes it easier for borrowers who don’t have standard W-2 incomes and those that do to get loans from the same outlets, and reflects broader trends.

Changed borrower psychology and the severe housing inventory shortage dropped lending activity across the board, according to Black Knight.

There’s now a unique, additional source of demand that’s opening up in an already fiercely-competitive housing market that VA lenders have to solve for.

Also: Residential delinquencies reach a pandemic low, groups seek to keep mortgage origination and securitization rules aligned

Purchase loans tick upward, even as housing demand pushes prices well above 2020 levels.

In addition to earning ancillary fee income, it provides originators with an opportunity to connect with current and potential clients mired in student loan debt.

In the aftermath of 2020’s historic year of mortgage originations, lenders are concerned with keeping employees and insulating themselves from the negative effects of the boom and bust cycle, according to a survey from The Mortgage Collaborative.