Some lenders announced increases in their conforming loan limits before an official announcement from the Federal Housing Finance Agency for 2026 limits.
Bilt is a payments platform that offers rewards to consumers. The company recently received a $100 million investment from United Wholesale Mortgage at a valuation of $10.75 billion.
United Wholesale Mortgage plans to continue to grow organically, making investments in technology. The nonbank took a large loss in the first quarter as values of mortgage servicing rights declined.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has sued United Wholesale Mortgage for allegedly colluding with brokers to push borrowers into higher-priced mortgages. UWM denied the allegations, noting that it’s not illegal for a broker to send most or all of its business to one lender.
The chief innovation officer at United Wholesale Mortgage testified at a hearing in Congress this week on housing affordability. Senators at the hearing largely focused on issues outside of the mortgage market.
MSR buyers believe that there will be plenty of supply of the asset this year as mortgage originators face difficulties from high interest rates. UWM, the largest lender in the industry, is willing to sell if the price is right.
Some 17.2% of homeowners with mortgages had an interest rate greater than or equal to 6% at the end of the third quarter of 2024, compared to 12.3% in the third quarter of 2023.
A rise in VA and FHA refinance business helped to increase Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed security issuance in the third quarter. The increase in purchase-mortgage volume was more modest. (Includes four data tables.)
Refis are poised to increase and MSR values will decline as interest rates decline. United Wholesale Mortgage is prepared for the moment, having sold off a significant amount of MSRs earlier this year.