The Southfield, MI-based bank expects fixed-cost savings of roughly $3 million a year from using MortgagePath for originations and the vendor will be responsible for compliance issues.

The jumbo sector bucked trends in the broader mortgage market, with a 3.1% increase in origination volume in the second quarter. A handful of banks sharply increased their jumbo lending during that period. (Includes data chart.)

Publicly traded nonbank mortgage lenders posted sharply lower profits in the second quarter as strong competition cut into margins. Two firms managed to increase mortgage-related income: homebuilders. (Includes data chart.)

loanDepot cites faults in wholesale channel; rate locks decline in July; foreclosure activity also down; MISMO seeking comments on various initiatives.

Some banks are partnering with Rocket Mortgage on originations. Rocket said banks are having a hard time competing with the nonbank.

With limited demand for refinancing, lenders are peddling other products. While nonbanks are offering home-equity loans, some lenders are selling mortgages with a reduced-fee refi option down the road.

Non-agency lenders looking to sell mortgages with lower interest rates only have whole-loan sales as an outlet as MBS investors wait for new originations.

First Republic increased its originations for the second consecutive quarter thanks to a focus on jumbos. The bank puts an emphasis on customer service and benefits from having a portfolio to hold mortgages.

Since December, interest rates have increased on both non-agency jumbos and conventional-conforming mortgages. But rates have increased by a lower amount on jumbos thanks to demand for the loans at banks.

Mortgage originations down at big banks in second quarter; Better does worse in first quarter; loanDepot downsizing; foreclosure activity ramping up; MISMO remains busy.