In 2013, Provident Funding Associates of California was the second largest originator of home mortgages through loan brokers, but it has fallen from that high perch in recent quarters. Moreover, there have been recent reports that the privately held nonbank may significantly trim the number of states where it’s willing to accept submissions from brokers. Wholesalers and brokers alike told Inside Mortgage Finance they have heard talk of a large-scale pullout by Provident in multiple states, but have seen nothing definitive. According to agency mortgage-backed securities data compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, Provident was active with brokers doing business in 41 states over the first nine months of 2014. One broker trade group official, requesting anonymity, said...