Endorsements of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans during the first six months of 2011 rose 0.4 percent above the rate of endorsements from a year earlier but fell 20.2 percent on a quarterly basis, according to Inside FHA Lending’s analysis of HECM activity during the first six months of 2011. At the mid-year mark, HECM endorsements totaled $9.5 billion, with third-party originators sponsored by FHA-approved lenders accounting for 40.4 percent of all HECM originations. Non-FHA-approved mortgage brokers are no longer allowed to originate HECMs under a policy change last year aimed at reducing FHA losses and risks to the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. HECM endorsements totaled ... [includes two (2) data charts]