Technology

Late payments on loans have risen for the first time since early 2012, but the long-term loan performance trend remains positive.

Credit requirements loosened the most in December, when 31% of mortgages had credit Fair Isaac & Co. credit scores below 700.

The bank reduced its servicing portfolio by 38% over four quarters, and lower provisioning for repurchases during the most recent quarter gave loan production income a relative boost.

Standard & Poor’s estimates that the number of months required to clear shadow inventory has risen to 51 months, 14 more than a year ago.

Observers are warning this is only a temporary break as they expect rates to start rising again.

Fannie Mae’s home loan volume projection is slightly more pessimistic than it previously forecast, but more optimistic than the Mortgage Bankers Association’s recent downward revision.

The first Black Knight Financial Services mortgage monitor report revealed that purchase loans now account for over 50% of total originations.

The giant lender reports higher gain-on-sale margins and servicing income.

Real estate portfolios helped boost net mortgage banking income in the fourth quarter of 2013 when it reduced more headcount to offset declining origination volumes.

The chief economist sees little pickup in purchase mortgage lending.