Mortgage servicers and housing officials should be prepared for an uptick in delinquencies following the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, OH.

Apollo isn’t buying Select Portfolio Servicing from Credit Suisse; FHA seeking suggestions for changes to rehabilitation program; Hsieh’s fishing dream; mortgage fraudster sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Issuance of Ginnie Mae MBS declined again in January, though at a slower pace than the drop-off seen in the final months of 2022. PennyMac was the top issuer during the month. (Includes two data charts.)

FHA will expand its loss-mitigation options to borrowers at risk of default even if COVID-19 wasn’t the cause of their economic challenges.

The Urban Institute has called on federal housing agencies to accommodate automated valuation models as their starting points, with human appraisers checking the accuracy of the data as a back-up.

The National Consumer Law Center said FHA should reform its home equity conversion mortgage program to reduce the number of so-called preventable foreclosures.

Ginnie announces new LMI ESG disclosures; HUD seeks comments on proposal to expand housing counseling tailored to tribal communities; HUD issues RFI on learning agenda supplement; Housing and Insurance subcommittee chair named; House committee disallows changes to veterans’ ability to testify virtually; USDA updates handbook.

The National Consumer Law Center has called for flexibility in FHA’s property charge loss-mitigation policies, among other changes.

NYCB closes Flagstar’s non-bank branches; FHA offers new incentives for servicers; home prices decline again in November; MBA writes to FHFA on the cost of doing business with the GSEs; new products aimed at newly-constructed homes; MISMO offers loan limit tool.

Servicers of FHA-insured loans have until April 30 to implement the revised loss-mitigation program.