Servicing

The new regulation, which passed overwhelmingly in the state legislature, would allow insurers to remove wildfire protections from standard homeowners policies.

As CFPB oversight recedes, servicers are turning to FHA, VA and state rules for guidance, with distressed loan compliance, redefaults and local registration risks rising in 2026.

Here are the most-read stories from National Mortgage News over the past year.

Some action items could make a big difference for both mortgage lenders and consumers, but the Trump Administration is not yet focused on these concerns.

National Mortgage News takes a look back at some of the major or unique transactions which went on, or in some cases didn't happen, in the past 12 months.

Rialto Capital allegedly engineered a way to keep it in default so that the company could win extra fees over time, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

Mortgage lenders test crypto-backed mortgages as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac review digital assets in underwriting, weighing risk, non-QM loans and access for nontraditional homebuyers.

The bank regulator is proposing to strengthen national preemption in the wake of conflicting decisions in related court cases.

The national mortgage delinquency rate jumped to 3.85% in November, up 15% month over month and 2.79% year over year, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.

The judge's order allows potentially thousands of consumers to join the lawsuit against the company, similar to other fights between borrowers and servicers.

The Massachusetts Democrat requested to see records related to second liens that banks were required to expunge per terms of the 2012 mortgage settlement.

A coalition of mortgagees said the zombie seconds law negatively impacts 1.2 million junior liens statewide, despite just over 500 potential "zombie" loans.

The Rithm affiliate that acquired Specialized Loan Servicing will pay $4.65 million, an amount that includes borrower restitution.

The deal significantly grows United Wholesale Mortgage's servicing portfolio, and it will increase the float on its common stock, making it more investable.

Higher unemployment has driven these indications of distress higher but most loans that financial institutions hold in their portfolios are still performing.

After home equity surged in 2023, average gains slowed last year before falling into negative territory over the past 12 months, Cotality said.

For 2026, the mortgage industry operating environment will improve, while nonbank financial metrics should be within Fitch's rating criteria sensitivities.

The new monthly reporting rule lists improved accuracy and timeliness of MBS payments among its goals, with implementation planned for February 2026.

Overall performance is stable but inflation and unemployment have hurt newer borrowers in some cases, according to Transunion's 2026 consumer credit forecast.

The decision in a New York case that is also undergoing federal review puts pressure on related parties to get things right within a statute of limitations.