Mortgage originators and investors believe that automation must go hand-in-hand with human expertise to create value for a company, and boost margins.

Even with interest rates on mortgages coming down, home sales have been tepid in recent months, with potential buyers waiting for even lower interest rates.

Interest rates continue to be the top priority for borrowers when choosing a mortgage lender, according to a study by Corporate Insight, but borrowers also value interest rate locking options and rate matching.

With interest rates on mortgages set to come down, some lenders are looking to quickly adopt tech to help with originations. Blend Labs is seeing lenders use more of the tech vendor’s products and an automated refi offering is on the way.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both integrated the fintech’s digital version of IRS Form 8821 to confirm borrower income.

Remote work increases for mortgage fulfillment; MISMO offers reference materials for ESG data; lenders frustrated with tech vendors; ICE updates Encompass; tech firms offer loan audits with AI.

What might a new owner of MBS/specialty servicer SPS do with the company? That’s hard to say, but it would appear growth is on the agenda.

Portfolio restructuring by the Federal Reserve accounted for about a third of new Fannie and Freddie Supers issuance in the second quarter, but volume is slowing down. (Includes two data tables.)

Money managers overweight with agency MBS are looking to reduce their exposure, creating new investment opportunities for other segments of investors.

CMBS collateral saw $842.6 million in new appraisal reduction amounts in the first six months of this year and may double the 2023 total by yearend, putting pressure on recoveries.