Latest News

Interest Rates on Mortgages Seen as Near Peak
September 17, 2026
“Longer-term rates, including mortgage rates, had already baked in the expectation of hikes at this and future meetings,” said Mike Fratantoni, a senior vice president and chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Purchase Mortgages Push Up Agency MBS in August
September 17, 2026
Issuance of agency mortgage-backed securities increased by 4.6% on a monthly basis to $115.92 billion in August.
Real Estate Fraud Rising, FBI Lacking Resources
September 17, 2026
NAR attempted to recruit the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to crack down on fraud, but was told the bureau didn’t have the resources to pursue the patchwork of cases across the country.
Lennar Taking Financial Hit While Maintaining Home Sale Pace
September 17, 2026
Home sales held firm on a quarterly basis in Lennar’s fiscal third quarter while the homebuilder’s income declined by 6.9%.

Agency MBS
Homebuying Boosts Agency MBS Issuance in August
United Wholesale Mortgage was the top seller of agency purchase loans last month, while Rocket Mortgage topped in agency refinances. (Includes two data tables.)
Originations
Retail Lending Takes Some Share From Brokers in 2Q
Retail originations increased by 10.5% on a quarterly basis in the second quarter of 2026. That pushed the channel’s share of total first-lien originations to 53.7%. (Includes six data tables.)
Jumbo
Non-Agency Jumbo Lending Increases in Second Quarter
Non-agency jumbo mortgage production increased by 25.0% on a quarterly basis in the second quarter to an estimated $90.00 billion. (Includes data table.)
Government-Insured Originations
FHA, VA Production Strong Even as Refis Decline in 2Q
Refinances of loans insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs declined in the second quarter, according to an Inside FHA/VA Lending analysis and ranking of endorsement data. (Includes three data tables.)
Investors
Banks See Modest Increase in MBS Holdings, Ginnie Gains
Most of the increase in banks’ MBS investment was in Ginnie Mae pass-throughs, which grew a modest 1.5% from the first quarter. Holdings of non-agency securities declined. (Includes two data tables.)
Originations
All Products Gained in 2Q But Agency Market Lagged
The conventional-conforming sector lagged in an otherwise upbeat mortgage market. (Includes two data files.)

Inside Mortgage Finance

Jumbo Share of Originations Highest Since 2022
The jumbo share of first-lien originations increased from 16.4% in the first quarter of 2026 to 18.8% in the second quarter. Large banks and nonbanks are putting an emphasis on the products. (Includes three data tables.)
Mortgage Rates Expected to Hold as Fed Hikes Rates
The Federal Reserve hiked the federal funds rate by 25 bps this week. The move was already baked into mortgage rates, which aren’t expected to climb much higher even if the Fed hikes rates twice more in the next 12 months.
- Trade Groups Use Social Media to Reach Pulte
- Warehouse Lenders Fighting for Share in Tough Market
More Inside Mortgage Finance

Inside MBS & ABS

GSEs Disclose Their Proprietary Credit Scores
September 17, 2026
Mortgage industry analysts ponder the impact of new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac disclosures on the MBS and credit-risk transfer markets.
SFA Working on TRID Grid Updates
September 17, 2026
While the CFPB reviews feedback on its TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule RIF, the Structured Finance Association is working on updating its TRID compliance document.
VA, Ginnie Officials Discussing Prepayment Speeds
September 17, 2026
Officials at Ginnie Mae and the Department of Veterans Affairs are in discussions on the high prepayment speeds on VA-backed loans, according to an industry source familiar with the agency.
CHLA Renews Call for Ginnie Servicer Liquidity Backstop
September 17, 2026
Congress should act now, while the economy is relatively stable, to create a liquidity facility for Ginnie servicers, rather than plugging holes when the ship is sinking, speakers at an industry event said.

More Inside MBS & ABS

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Inside Nonconforming Markets

Banks Resume Adding to Mortgage Holdings in Second Quarter
September 11, 2026
Total first-lien mortgage holdings among banks and thrifts increased by 0.7% from the end of March to the end of June. During the first quarter, the depositories slightly reduced their mortgage holdings. (Includes data table.)
Carrington Mortgage Expands Guidelines for Non-QMs
September 11, 2026
Carrington Mortgage Services said one of the changes included lowering the eligibility threshold for an alternative-documentation borrower to a FICO score of 550.
Experts Highlight Mortgage Fraud Red Flags
September 11, 2026
Industry experts suggest that mortgage lenders educate themselves on fraud red flags and ensure proper safety procedures are in place.
Non-QM Lender Launches Private Client Lending Platform
September 11, 2026
Mbanc started a private client lending platform to fill an overlooked part of the non-QM market.

More Inside Nonconforming Markets

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Inside Mortgage Trends

Banks’ Mortgage Income Down in First Half
September 4, 2026
Mortgage-banking income declined by 6.1% on an annual basis in the first half of the year. At Chase, the largest bank in the mortgage market, a drop in servicing revenue more than offset an increase in production revenue. (Includes one data table.)
Mortgage Companies Grappling With AI Governance
September 4, 2026
GSE officials suggested that a robust governance framework can help firms responsibly scale use of AI. Industry participants are also facing increasing risks from the technology.
Mortgage Repurchases by Banks Increase in 2Q
September 4, 2026
Repurchases and indemnifications by banks and thrifts increased by 16.5% from the first quarter to the second. Repurchase reserves declined by 3.9% during that time. (Includes one data table.)
Lenders Using AI to Help Buyers 24/7
September 4, 2026
Lenders are turning to artificial intelligence to reach borrowers even when loan officers are off the clock.

More Inside Mortgage Trends

Inside FHA/VA Lending

Ginnie MBS Issuance Down in August as Refi Slide Continues
Refinance volume included in Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities slipped for the fourth consecutive month in August as interest rates climbed higher. (Includes two data tables.)
FHA to Accept VantageScore, FICO 10T Starting Jan. 1
FHA plans to begin accepting loans underwritten using the new scoring model on a wide scale, rather than via a limited rollout.
HUD Withdraws Reorganization Plans
The Department of Housing and Urban Development quickly withdrew a cost-benefit document, which outlined reorganization plans.
Trade Groups Voice Concerns Over VA Disclosures
Industry groups urged FHA to flesh out and update the disclosures for VA mortgages that will be added to FHA mortgage applications as a result of Congress’ new housing law.

More Inside FHA/VA Lending

Premium Newsletter Content

Inside Mortgage Trends
Banks’ Mortgage Income Down in First Half
Mortgage-banking income declined by 6.1% on an annual basis in the first half of the year. At Chase, the largest bank in the mortgage market, a drop in servicing revenue more than offset an increase in production revenue. (Includes one data table.)
Inside Mortgage Finance
Jumbo Share of Originations Highest Since 2022
The jumbo share of first-lien originations increased from 16.4% in the first quarter of 2026 to 18.8% in the second quarter. Large banks and nonbanks are putting an emphasis on the products. (Includes three data tables.)
Inside Nonconforming Markets
Banks Resume Adding to Mortgage Holdings in Second Quarter
Total first-lien mortgage holdings among banks and thrifts increased by 0.7% from the end of March to the end of June. During the first quarter, the depositories slightly reduced their mortgage holdings. (Includes data table.)
Inside MBS & ABS
GSEs Disclose Their Proprietary Credit Scores
Mortgage industry analysts ponder the impact of new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac disclosures on the MBS and credit-risk transfer markets.
Inside the CFPB
House Republicans Formally Introduce CFPB Reform Bill
The bill would place the CFPB under the regular appropriations process, limit its authority to define financial practices as abusive and take away its ability to seek monetary relief in certain circumstances.
Inside The GSEs
Big Bank Borrowing Boosts FHLBank Profits in 2Q
An increase in outstanding advances in the second quarter helped offset lower margins at the FHLBanks. (Includes three data tables.)
Inside FHA/VA Lending
Ginnie MBS Issuance Down in August as Refi Slide Continues
Refinance volume included in Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities slipped for the fourth consecutive month in August as interest rates climbed higher. (Includes two data tables.)

Inside The GSEs

Big Bank Borrowing Boosts FHLBank Profits in 2Q
An increase in outstanding advances in the second quarter helped offset lower margins at the FHLBanks. (Includes three data tables.)
Pulte Opens VantageScore to All Lenders
Frustrated with FICO and the big three credit reporting bureaus, the FHFA director abruptly ushered in the era of two competing credit scores.
More Inside The GSEs

As homeowner equity continues to build, more and more lenders are launching home equity lending products. Are you thinking of joining this market?