Originations

Endorsements of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages fell nearly 14% on a consecutive-month basis in February after a January surge, but stayed relatively strong compared to average levels last year.

Mortgage rates hit their lowest point since Freddie Mac began tracking this data in 1971, as the 10-year Treasury yield fell below 1% after the Federal Open Market Committee's surprise short-term rate cut.

Mortgage application volume increased 15.1% from one week earlier, and with interest rates still falling, even higher refinance demand is probable in the short term, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Fidelity National Financial, the nation's largest title insurance underwriter, added a new digital title insurance opening package to its WireSafe homebuyer and seller program.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Feb. 28.

There is a real possibility of a large, nonmortgage brand coming into the industry and consolidating a disjointed loan origination process.

Mortgage application volume rose last week, but with the 10-year Treasury yield tanking in recent days, growth in refinancings for the current period is quite likely, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

With interest rates and unemployment at rock-bottom lows and home values rising, the part of JPMorgan's retail business that sells home loans to consumers made money last month, marking the first profitable January in five years, according to people familiar with the matter.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Feb. 21.

Low mortgage rates are setting the stage for growth, not just in refinancings, but in purchase volume as well during 2020, according to Ellie Mae.