Federal bank regulators are looking to reduce the capital requirements that apply to mortgage servicing rights and to mortgages held in portfolio. A March proposal is seen as making mortgage lending and servicing somewhat more attractive for banks.
FICO and VantageScore disagree on how lenders in a GSE pilot are using VantageScore. FICO’s CEO claims there are LTV ratio limitations and a haircut with VantageScore. VantageScore said that’s not the case.
High interest rates are prompting some lenders to reduce their guidance for returns on equity this year. Meanwhile, margins are holding firm at some big lenders.
Declining interest rates in January and February helped to push refinance business up, but not enough to offset the seasonal decline in purchase-mortgage lending in the first quarter.
Glass half full: Originations surged on an annual basis in the first quarter. Glass half empty: Lending declined on a quarterly basis as interest rates jumped in March.
Inflation caused by the U.S.-Iran War means that mortgage rates aren’t likely to fall back below 6.0% this year, according to Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
BofA, Chase and Wells all increased production by more than 40% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2026. But demand for mortgages diminished in March amid rising interest rates.
The five largest lenders accounted for 21.5% of originations in 2025. Nonbanks produced 65.6% of all residential mortgages. (Includes two data tables.)