Pennymac will pay $172.5 million upfront for Cenlar; real estate credit employment declines; GOP senators concerned about NFIP pricing.

Mortgage applications increase, led by refinances; three M&A transactions involving lenders/branches; home price appreciation trends.

Following Jay Farner’s surprise move to retire, the mortgage company has retained a “leading firm” to consider both internal and external candidates for the CEO position.

Apollo isn’t buying Select Portfolio Servicing from Credit Suisse; FHA seeking suggestions for changes to rehabilitation program; Hsieh’s fishing dream; mortgage fraudster sentenced to 10 years in prison.

We continue to hear reports that Freddie Mac may have settled on a choice for a new CEO. Back in September, the GSE named David Brickman — just promoted to the role of president from executive vice president/head of multifamily — as a possible internal candidate to succeed retiring CEO Don Layton.

Joseph Otting, the comptroller of the currency, added the title of the Federal Housing Finance Agency acting director to his brief this week, effectively bringing the Mel Watt era at the agency to an end.