Secondary markets

The industry expects to lean on technological efficiencies this year as higher rates and dwindling refinances test their businesses.

In a bitterly partisan Congress, two senators are making a rare push across party lines to solve a persistent riddle with huge implications for the U.S. housing market: What to do with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Fannie Mae has obtained reinsurance for $510 million of credit losses on $20.4 billion of single-family residential mortgages through a pair of credit insurance risk transfer transactions.

Freddie Mac will soon allow automated underwriting of borrowers who lack scores but have other financial records.

Servicers are able to borrow more against their Ginnie Mae mortgage servicing rights as financing providers become more comfortable with the collateral.

A $165 million cash settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit that alleged investors were misled about the safety of mortgage-backed securities comprised of loans originated by now-defunct subprime lender NovaStar Mortgage Inc.

Industry critics argue the Invitation Homes deal will create new risks for Fannie Mae and remove affordable inventory from homebuyers.

Freddie Mac is considering backing loans that finance single-family rental homes for the first time, mirroring a controversial transaction that Fannie Mae disclosed in January.

Freddie Mac is preparing a transaction that transfers credit risk on $640 million of super-conforming residential mortgages.