Mortgages

Lenders largely took a piecemeal strategy to technology adoption, gravitating towards a hybrid e-closing process as the latest industry “innovation,” yet this process is anything but, Rick Triola of NotaryCam writes.

Servicers of loans not related to the government most often capitalized missed payments and converted them into a deferred, non-amortizing balance, said Vadim Verkhoglyad of dv01.

Even as properties spent the least time ever on the market and the average sale-to-list home price ratio broke 100%, some indicators point to a slight reversal, which could head off “runaway home price speculation or a housing bubble,” Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather said.

With independent title companies scoring the largest market share gain last year, the sector saw a 22% increase in premiums overall, the American Land Title Association said.

However, the decline in Black Knight’s numbers may stem from a previous deadline that policymakers have since extended.

Nonbanks claimed more of the top slots based on loan volume, while the origination gains experienced by Hispanic, Black and Native American borrowers were weaker than those of other groups.

More lenders are willing to take on borrowers who are lower on the qualification spectrum as the economy rebounds.

Inventories should keep shrinking, which is likely to drive higher returns on equity and reduce their loss ratios, a BTIG report said.

The shift ended a long run of higher rates that have depressed loan application activity, and it temporarily creates a new refinancing incentive for some borrowers.

The new rules are disproportionate particularly in light of the GSEs’ recent record of profitability, the director of the Community Home Lenders Association writes.

The consumer bureau is proposing to give companies until January 2022 to comply with one rule regarding communications from collectors and another clarifying disclosure requirements.

Vaccinations and a third round of stimulus payments are boosting consumers views on the housing market, according to Fannie Mae.

As vaccinations proliferate, homeowners who held off during the pandemic are finally gearing up to list their properties, a recent survey finds.

Mortgage rates that are rising in tandem with a recovering economy dampened borrower activity, even with prime homebuying season underway.

The inevitable cancellation of the takeover transaction by China Oceanwide means Genworth will be spinning out a portion of its U.S. mortgage insurance business.

The 9-0 ruling markedly diminishes the threat of lawsuits involving automated calls and text messages to consumers.

That means depreciation is a risk that could creep back into some regions, potentially requiring lenders and government-related agencies to consider it when setting down payment requirements or managing loan workouts once forbearance ends.

Banks can mitigate damage from slowing origination activity by putting excess cash to work, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said.

One year after its internal merger, the fintech and fulfillment services provider’s COO Debora Aydelotte discusses the company’s support for community banks and its placement in the ranking of Best Fintechs to Work For.

The SmartBuy program, offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, has drawn interest from out-of-state buyers too.