A new Federal Housing Finance Agency initiative will require the government-sponsored enterprise to create a common data standard and new servicing form under the Uniform Mortgage Data Program.

Ellie Mae nearly doubled its revenue in the first quarter of 2012, turning net income of $3.6 million, compared to a net loss of $800,000 in the year-over-year quarter.

Quicken Loans Inc. plans to increase staffing at its Cleveland Web Center by at least 25%, as the company will add 100 new employees to the more than 300 already working at the location.

From time to time I hear appraisers talk about the fact that they feel undervalued, and that the business they’re in is becoming increasingly difficult. Some feel it’s a downright hostile environment for appraisers today.

There was a lot of shock, sadness, and yes, grief here at SourceMedia at the recent passing of Neil Morse. We knew Neil as a gifted mortgage writer, an indefatigable road warrior, a thoroughly professional public relations executive, and finally as a colleague for his work with our conference group. He died way too soon (he was 62). But he had an impressive life.

Mortgage applications rose a scant 0.1% for the week ending April 27 with refinancings slipping ever so slightly.

PHH Corp. posted net earnings of $75 million for the first quarter, turning a profit on its residential mortgage operation, but suffering charges on its servicing business. In 1Q11, the company earned $49 million.

ISGN Corp., Melbourne, Fla., hired Matthew Mesmer as associate general counsel with a focus on regulatory compliance, corporate compliance, ethics, risk management and operational compliance.

It appears that a flip-flop of sorts is happening in regard to the FHA and VA programs.

Recent hikes in FHA premiums appear to be causing a shift in government-backed mortgage programs.

Experience 1 Inc., a holding company for two title insurance providers, named former LPS executive Eric Swenson chairman.

The inventory of vacant homes for sale fell in the first quarter to the lowest level in six years, according to a new government report which helps explain why real estate agents are complaining about the tight supply of REO properties.

LendingQB, Costa Mesa, Calif., named Brian Smith to its business development team.

Large banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, credited a pickup in mortgage banking returns for helping boost their quarterly revenue.

Out of 212 markets tracked by RealtyTrac’s metropolitan foreclosure market report, 114 had more foreclosures take place for the first three months of 2012 than the final quarter of last year.

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s director of industry standards is leaving the trade group, less than six months after the MBA resumed running the day-to-day operations of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.

The average primary market rate for a 30-year fixed-rate loan during the week ending April 26 inched down two basis points to 3.88%, according to Freddie Mac's latest survey.

After the conclusion of a successful pilot program, the Internal Revenue Service is planning to roll out the production version of its electronic signature capabilities for Form 4506-T by the end of 2012, according to officials who detailed the plans during the MBA tech show in Phoenix this week.

Sterling Financial, Spokane, Wash., reported that first-quarter net income rose 146% from the same period last year, to $13.3 million, due primarily to growth in loan balances, lower funding costs and improved asset quality.

Ellie Mae said that Cathleen Schreiner Gates has joined the company as senior vice president of sales and client services.