PMI

Meanwhile at Essent, more loans exited the inventory in January than in December.

Investor concerns about a 25 basis point reduction taking business from private insurers might be overblown, but a 50 bp cut could affect an additional 10%-15% of the low down payment market, KBW said.

For some, including National MI and Essent, the improvement is taking place faster than expected.

While the agreement with China Oceanwide still remains in place, there was no formal extension of the Dec. 31 deadline.

The company expects a good year ahead for mortgage insurers, assuming that rising employment, higher home prices and payment timing deferrals will help them to mitigate risk.

Lower cure rates and possible rises in foreclosures and claims could force these companies to raise capital next year, Fitch Ratings said.

The parties are looking at having the deal done by the end of 2020, once China's currency regulator agrees to the transfer of funds.

Rick Thornberry discusses the company's third-quarter results and the decision to drop traditional appraisals.

With the 10-year Treasury yield getting a boost due to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine news this week, KBW predicts insurers and title underwriters will fare best as recovery continues.

For most of the underwriters it was a strong quarter, but concerns remain over government-sponsored enterprise reform and potential claims after forbearances end.