Lower rates drive best November lock activity in years
November rate locks fell seasonally but hit their strongest level since 2021, led by refis, while lenders shifted more loans to the GSE cash window.
LOAN PRODUCTS
Fitch flags cooling housing market through 2027
While Fitch and Kroll have differing views on mortgage rates next year, both are looking for mortgage delinquencies to rise in their rated portfolios.
Fannie, Freddie eyeing assumable or portable loans: Pulte
Two government-sponsored enterprises are looking into expanding mortgage transfers between borrowers, according to the head of their oversight agency.
KBW says loan level pricing cuts could hurt GSE earnings
Bill Pulte's X post has the industry excited that loan level price adjustments could change, but the impact would not be as beneficial as some think, KBW said.
Senior home equity holdings rise to record level
The NRMLA/Riskspan Reverse Mortgage Market Index set a new high of 502.42, with the dollar amount of home equity for those 62 or over reaching $14.4 trillion.
Better launches HELOC, CES wholesale channel
The lender, which reported over $200 million in home equity line of credit volume in the recent quarter, suggests the business can deliver massive scale.
Why growth in cap markets tech use is up and what it means for LOs
Intermediary automation has increased the immediate availability of product, pricing and eligibility information to both sides of the mortgage business.
Fed cuts but only some mortgage rates are moving lower
Most lenders said they had already priced in the widely-anticipated decision to cut short-term rates for 30-year home loans but other products will benefit.
Rate-and-term refi activity hits 2025 high mark
Falling interest rates led to a rush in refinancing, but slowing purchase activity brought a decline in overall lock volumes, according to Optimal Blue.
U.S. homeownership falls for first time since 2016
As Washington weighs a national housing emergency, U.S. homeownership has slipped year-over-year, according to Redfin.
Higher mortgage rates slow refi application volume
The increase in purchase volume was not enough to offset the drop in refinance application submissions as conventional rates increased week-over-week.
Underwriting errors push loan defects higher
Lagging tech adoption, issues with credit, and originators' rush to close refinances earlier this year contributed to deterioration, a study found.
Jumbos, ARMs drive uptick in credit availability
July's growth in products correspond with a noticeable rise in new applications for adjustable-rate mortgages as borrowers respond to recent rate movements.
Home equity products set to grow in 2025, 2026, study finds
As high interest rates make refinancing impossible for many homeowners, increasing numbers of them are turning to HELOCs and home equity loans for cash.
By
Jarrod Barry
HEI platform Unlock receives $250M in capital support
The agreement with D2 Asset Management doubles the firm's previous commitment to Unlock, as current economic trends provide momentum for the growing sector.
Rithm Capital inks $1.5B deal for investor loans
A "large institutional investor" will provide funding to assist Rithm in acquiring as much as $1.5 billion worth of residential transition loans.
Capital One confirms Discover home equity shutdown
Capital One closed the deal to buy the credit card provider in May and as part of the review process, decided to exit its home equity lending business.
Researchers find ‘surprise’ in new mortgage delinquency data
While consumer distress in auto and personal loans also picked up, the pace of growth among mortgages was atypical, Vantagescore's monthly credit gauge said.
Home equity lending has strong two-year runway ahead
The product, as well as the housing market, is different today than what it was two decades ago, where some feel it was a cause of the financial crisis.
How Angel Oak handled volatility’s impact on non QM
The company took a break from securitization during the first quarter but was able to get a deal done shortly after the fiscal period ended.
