Originations

A December hiring spike at nondepository mortgage originators ended a three-month skid and solidified the fourth straight year of job gains in the sector. But with loan volume projected to decline again in 2018, it remains to be seen whether nonbanks will add more workers or start making cuts.

Problems with the IRS-managed Income Verification Express System, or IVES, have stoked concerns about delayed mortgage closings when volume picks up this spring.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Feb. 2.

Rising rates suppressed total mortgage application activity, which decreased 2.6% from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Michael DeVito, who was named Wells Fargo's interim head of home lending after the bank fired consumer lending head Franklin Codel, is now officially leading the residential mortgage unit.

Compliance is a significant cost center for mortgage lenders. But with bulk rates, technology and better process management, some lenders have found new ways to reduce the burden.

Social Finance has acquired the engineering and product teams of mortgage startup Clara Lending, bolstering the financial technology company's offerings beyond student-loan refinancing, according to people familiar with the matter.

The 2018 Top Producers Survey is now open for submissions. This year's program features a number of new and exciting features designed to provide insights into key industry trends and feature the accomplishments and successes of individual loan officers.

Fannie Mae's multifamily volume hit another record high of $67 billion in 2017 as former top producer Wells Fargo nearly halved its volume and nonbank competitors increased their market share.

Roostify has integrated its mortgage transaction technology into LendingTree's lead generation system, creating a seamless path from product search through closing.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Jan. 26.

Here's a look at 10 cities where the fewest house hunters have prime credit.

Purchase loan applications were at their highest level in nearly eight years because of rising interest rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Flagstar Bancorp swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the company took an $80 million noncash charge to earnings because of the tax reform bill.

The government shutdown and Congress' inability to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program could delay some home sales and loan closings.

The changes created by tax reform will be a mixed influence on housing as consumers will have more to spend to buy a property, but lose other benefits of homeownership.

Here's a look at what happens at five federal agencies that support the mortgage industry during a government shutdown.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Jan. 19.

Even as mortgage rates rose to their highest level since March, application activity increased from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Bank of America's mortgage banking business reported a loss for the fourth quarter driven largely by representations and warrants provisions.