Originations

A decline in refinancings led to a drop in mortgage application volume last week, even though purchase activity continues to rise, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Lenders who employ a technology stack that tracks, collects and analyzes homebuyer behavior will have a distinct advantage as application volume rises.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending July 5

Mortgage application activity was virtually flat from one week earlier, down just 0.1%, although there was a huge gain in Federal Housing Administration refinance volume, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

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

Making low-balance loans with poor economies of scale is tough in a market with slim margins, but it could have its rewards.

The refinance share of mortgage applications climbed to the highest level since January 2018 as the average 30-year fixed interest rate continued tumbling, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

LoanDepot will accelerate hiring initiatives in the third and fourth quarter as it plans to add 1,400 new jobs by the end of 2019. The company credits its technology efforts for the growth opportunities.

Large banks had huge losses from originating mortgages in 2018 as costs were three times higher than similar-sized independent lenders, according to research conducted by Stratmor and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

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