Secondary markets

Waivers boomed during the pandemic's refi wave and the recent automation of desktop appraisals have provided additional flexibilities, but their applications are limited in the current market.

However, company executives said the treatment of mortgage servicing rights under the new rules going into effect late next year looks likely to lead to some consolidation.

While one analysis finds that publicly traded nonbanks may not be materially affected — contrary to the concerns expressed by Ocwen — Community Home Lenders Association said it could hurt moderately sized lenders.

The servicer is evaluating alternatives in light of the new rule the government bond insurer will put in place next year.

BofA Securities Inc. predicts that single-family rental securitizations — which repackage a single loan tied to multiple properties — will fall to just $2 billion for the rest of 2022 as Federal Reserve rate hikes send shivers across the industry.

Historically tight underwriting reinforced by regulation and third-party reviews could be buffers, so long as manufacturing standards for production and servicing hold up as residential mortgage companies downsize, according to KBRA.

At least one other nonbank wholesaler will be following suit, with more likely to follow.

A "Big 3" credit bureau is testing a direct data feed into a FICO score, and a top multifamily mortgage lender signed a multiyear contract with a high-profile fintech platform.

The company is acting nearly a month earlier than its competitors did in 2021, the first shot in this year's "loan limits wars."

A larger share of cash-out loans and slowing home-price growth is leading to expectations of more serious delinquencies down the road, according to Milliman.