Mortgages

Increased national and international regulatory burdens are challenging mortgage firms to build efficient compliance risk mitigation strategies and test their business models against cyber-crime. A few themes are emerging.

The improving financial position of the federal mortgage insurance fund reduces the threat of reforms that constrict credit availability.

Investors with rental property portfolios under $5 million represent the largest segment of the market but have historically had limited access to capital, according to CEO Randy Reiff.

Potential owners a little short on the downpayment may be able to sell a piece of the upside potential in their property.

New report says purchase loan activity reverts to the norm in the early 2000's.

The only relief might come from a deduction for first-timers if they get housing counseling.

There were 11 Mortgage Industry Equity Composite stocks which closed lower, with five higher and one unchanged.

The industrial delinquency rate got more than 1% lower in November, as hotel delinquencies fell by 68 basis points and office delinquencies declined by 18 basis points during the month.

Over the last year to 18 months, some people have been of the opinion that REO-to-rental signifies a trade, not necessarily a long term business model.

Rapid home value appreciation, particularly in California, is currently having a very positive effect on the Zillow Market Health Index score.

Process improvements must be identified to help alleviate future problems tied to disruptions in the government. One achievable solution ripe for consideration would be to modernize the 4506-T order transmission and tax transcript delivery capabilities at the IRS.

Banks that stick to ability to repay underwriting won’t be penalized in CRA evaluations.

The proceeds are to be used to purchase servicing rights and general corporate purposes.

The forms’ integration will be an expensive and daunting task to initially implement, but the hope is that standardization of the forms across the entire industry will normalize the process.

New report shows insurance fund could reach 2% capital ratio in in two years.

The guarantee fees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge fail to put a price on mortgage risks in line with what the private market charges.

Despite signs of retraction there still is hope for a consistent albeit slow housing market recovery in 2014, TransUnion analysts say.

Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch agreed to pay about $131 million to settle U.S. regulatory claims it failed to tell investors that hedge fund Magnetar Capital LLC had a role in selecting assets for two 2006 mortgage-backed securities.

They are accused of offering bogus assistance to consumers in need of help in paying their loans.

The annual suspension will run from Dec. 18 through Jan. 3.