Originations

Originators increased program offerings for the fifth consecutive month, but overall credit availability remains tight, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

The reverse-mortgage lender saw a quarterly loss but expects originations to increase 10% in the second quarter, as it attempts to address high-yield debt concerns.

At the same time, market share among a trio of the mortgage insurers shifted, data compiled by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods found.

The industry hasn't been sure how much of a lift they'd get this spring but a broader slowdown in hiring may help to lower financing costs.

Rocket Cos. reported an increase in gain-on-sale margin but warned that going forward it is likely to slip back to levels seen in the second half of last year.

But the mortgage unit of Intercontinental Exchange narrowed its quarterly losses and touted the addition of several new customers this year in its earnings call.

Mortgage rates reached their highest point since the end of November, seemingly not severely impacting Spring home purchase activity, Freddie Mac said.

The top five producers had an average non-QM loan volume of nearly $94 million for 2023.

The Federal Open Market Committee held the federal funds rate at current levels, citing "lack of further progress" toward meeting inflation goals.

Both purchase and refinance activity slowed, with inflation likely to keep interest rates at challenging levels for future borrowers, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.