The share price of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac common has been on a bull run since late December, more than doubling in price. But how much more gasoline is left in the tank?

Loans originated on retail production platforms and sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae during the fourth quarter tended to have stronger credit characteristics than those generated by third-party originators. [Includes two data charts]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has acknowledged the rules it implemented in 2014 on servicing and originations increased costs for industry participants.

Struggling Ditech Financial late this week offered up a progress report on its future, saying — among other things — that one of its largest subservicing clients, New Residential Investment Corp., wants out of the contract.

The mortgage industry has more capacity than necessary, which is hurting profitability, according to industry analysts.

Transfers of agency mortgage servicing rights rose to their highest level in at least four years during 2018, although activity cooled in the fourth quarter. [Includes three data charts]

Freddie Mac names Aleem Gillani to its board of directors; Kroll Bond Rating Agency named an acceptable rating agency by Fannie Mae; Freddie Mac’s Home Possible program hits $50 billion milestone; Fannie Mae expects ransition to Loan Quality Connect to complete by end of March.

Blend, the Silicon Valley fintech vendor, announced Tuesday that recently departed Fannie Mae CEO Timothy Mayopoulos will take over as company president. Mayopoulos also will join the firm’s board.

Multifamily remained a bright spot in 2018 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and observers expect that trend to continue in the new year.

In what must come as a relief for Fannie Mae, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month ruled that the enterprise is not a credit reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).