Originations

imortgage's Roland Benson is a top producer because of the people who process, underwrite and close loans in the back office. He should know—that's where he got his start.

Lenders and Realtors are hailing a new law that delays flood insurance premium increases, but unless the government takes actuarially prudent measures, rising sea levels could cost taxpayers dearly.

The OCC reports that $30 billion in HELOCs will reach the end of their initial draw period in 2014. That’s just the beginning.

A survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association points to a solid increase in March new home sales after a slow start to spring selling season.

From hyper-personalized "one-to-one marketing" to ad campaigns that narrowly target veterans, originators are seeking vendors' assistance in their efforts to retain and grow volume.

Done right, the mini-correspondent channel is a legitimate way to create mortgage servicing rights, but the annals of the mortgage industry are filled with solid ideas that went terribly wrong.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has invited consumers to complain about getting a mortgage and it is getting plenty of responses.

Mortgage lending is contracting to levels not seen since 1997 as rising interest rates and home prices drive away borrowers.

Some nonmortgage technologists think lenders are behind the times when it comes to reaching consumers, and they can help.

The rock and hard place between which lenders have found themselves in regard to the use of hiring screens and disparate impact (in hiring) just got a bit softer.

The Mortgage Bankers Association lowered its 2014 origination estimate after a disappointing March report on home sales.

People who lack a credit or work history in the United States may have trouble getting a mortgage under the new qualified-mortgage rule, bankers say. A number of immigrants are self-employed, which makes it even harder to qualify.

But be aware of the business and regulatory risks associated with closing loans in your own name.

JPMorgan Chase said Friday it significantly downsized its mortgage operations while increasing the price on high loan-to-value loans to reflect higher default and servicing costs.

Wells Fargo posted a 14% rise in first-quarter earnings as fewer customers missed loan payments.

JPMorgan Chase said first-quarter profit fell 19% on lower revenue from fixed-income trading and mortgages, themes that may be repeated across Wall Street next week.

Mortgage lenders are retooling their approach to customer acquisition to increase business in a purchase-driven market.

Mortgage rates fell for the first time in three weeks, Freddie Mac said.

Commissioner Carole Galante says the Federal Housing Administration's insurance fund must be strengthened before insurance premiums can be reduced, but outlined alternatives to improve credit availability.

Jose Gonzalez, the first Hispanic president of a Federal Home Loan Bank, envisions eventually allowing new categories of lenders like REITs to join the system, but wants membership to stay as it is for now.