Merger-and-acquisition activity in the mortgage sector has been relatively mild so far this year, but suddenly the table has turned with a handful of deals announced over the past two weeks and some lenders publicly stating their intentions as buyers. And one thing seems certain: It appears that all of the acquisitions will be accomplished through “asset” purchases as opposed to the acquisition of stock, be it private shares or otherwise. Early this week, Guild Mortgage, San Diego, inked...