Originations

After years of refi-fueled origination volume, lenders have their hopes pegged to a resurgent purchase market in 2016 and beyond. But it raises an important question: will strategic default rear its head again in the next downturn?

The month of November could be foreshadowing of the prediction made by Weiss Analytics that fewer homes would gain in value this year.

More than 1 million homebuyers qualified for a mortgage in the third quarter, the first time since the financial crisis that lenders reached such a threshold, according to research by the Urban Institute.

Chronos Solutions in Coppell, Texas, has acquired Commerce Title & Closing Services.

The House approved a bill 427-0 that would revamp the Federal Housing Administration’s condominium loan program and expedite the approval process for Rural Housing Service guaranteed loans.

Mortgage applications declined last week, despite having a favorable comparison to the previous week, which had only four business days, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

ZipLogix, a maker of real estate software, has formed a partnership with Roostify.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled an appeals process Tuesday that will allow an independent arbitrator to resolve disputes between lenders and the government-sponsored enterprises over loan repurchase demands.

Home prices rose in December in both yearly and monthly comparisons, according to CoreLogic.

Lenders argue that the GSEs would be better off buying more loans that are already insured, rather than transferring credit risk after holding them for a time. But Freddie Mac's Kevin Palmer says certainty of reimbursement is more important than the timing of risk transfers.

The near future may find more banks ceasing to originate residential mortgages in an effort to stop the slide in stock prices.

While most federal banking regulators use enforcement actions as a way to shape industry practices, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking that to a whole other level, frequently using orders as a substitute for new rules or guidelines.

CU Companies on Monday said it finished 2015 with "significant growth" in its mortgage lending partnerships.

Loan originations for commercial and multifamily properties climbed in the fourth quarter compared to last year, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

The national median-priced home requires 21% of median incomes for purchase, Black Knight Financial Services said.

The final deadline for all Top Producers Survey responses is here. All entries must be submitted online by 6 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 1.

Fourth-quarter profit improved at Investors Bancorp, as the Short Hills, N.J., company originated more multifamily, business and commercial real estate loans

United Guaranty's spinoff from American International Group will result in changes to its capital structure that could shake up the competitive landscape in the private mortgage insurance market.

Urban homes are now worth more than suburban homes, as Americans place a greater value on living in cities and in high-rise condos, according to Zillow.

Lenders are originating more mortgages for subprime borrowers, according to Equifax.