Originations

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Jan. 11.

Average mortgage rates continued the downward spiral that started before Thanksgiving and in the past week that finally boosted mortgage application activity, according to Freddie Mac.

Continual declines in the refinance share of mortgage originations led to prepay rates dropping to their lowest levels since 2009, according to Black Knight.

Consumers reacted in a big way to falling interest rates as mortgage applications increased 23.5% from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Highlands Residential Mortgage credits its ability to recruit and retain high-performing loan officers for its ability to thrive during in declining originations market.

Here's a look at key findings from the 2019 Best Mortgage Companies to Work For survey, highlighting the qualities that distinguish companies on the list from those that are not, and how the offerings from small, medium, and large companies on the list compare.

Having authentic curiosity as a core value and hiring people who embody it is how Radius Financial Group builds out a strong fintech base, complete with AI and robotic automation.

By eliminating a sense of hierarchy, promoting innovation and offering attractive work perks, New York-based lender Better Mortgage succeeds as a top employer by investing in its employees as it does its customers.

When husband and wife Rick and Patty Arvielo set out to establish a strong corporate culture for their company, New American Funding, they turned to a leadership seminar from online retailer Zappos.

National Mortgage News is pleased to present the inaugural Best Mortgage Companies to Work For, a survey and awards program dedicated to identifying and recognizing the industry's best employers and providing organizations with valuable employee feedback.

The Best Mortgage Companies to Work For study is a collaboration between National Mortgage News and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies.

As the government shutdown enters its third week, mortgage servicers are activating the response plans they normally use during hurricanes and wildfires to assist federal workers who may have trouble paying their mortgages.

Borrowers and financial institutions may be feeling the strain from reduced operations at the FHA and IRS, which has suspended the release of certain income documentation during the budget impasse.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Jan. 4.

Despite mortgage rates continuing their two month downslide, applications decreased 9.8% from two weeks ago due to market uncertainty, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

New Fed Mortgage's pending acquisition of Commonwealth Mortgage LLC will allow it to expand its geographic footprint outside of New England.

By honing her ability to fix inefficiencies and identify new profit opportunities, Mary Ann McGarry broke down gender barriers and found success as CEO of Guild Mortgage. The key, she says, is remaining adaptable and collaborative without losing focus on end goals.

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

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued guidance late Friday that will shield some new mortgage data from the public that lenders are required to report.

From a housing market in turmoil and the technology to save it to the myriad new faces in both the industry and Washington, here's a look back at some of the biggest and most read mortgage and housing stories of 2018.