Denial rates on applications for purchase mortgages in the conventional-conforming market held steady in 2022, while refi rejections jumped as interest rates increased during the year, according to HMDA data. (Includes data chart.)

The nonbank plans to use artificial intelligence in an effort to sharply reduce expenses from its call center operations.

Tightening of lending standards by banks in the wake of elevated interest rates has created an opportunity for nonbanks to increase their share of the home-equity lending market.

The Fed’s massive increase in interest rates has lowered the value of 20-year-plus Treasuries by 30%, according to NBER economists.

Interplay between debt ceiling and mortgage interest rates; mortgage employment declines; rate locks down; Rithm considers spin-off; Planet Financial looking for lenders; new LO recruiting software; Blend’s market share grows; Black Knight’s margins; new appraisal marketplace; MISMO requests for comment.

With the U.S. debt ceiling resolution far from certain, investors in agency MBS are being careful in terms of financing and leverage. A U.S. default also has ramifications for outstanding MBS and ABS.

The pipeline for commercial MBS issuance is starting to fill up after a slowdown tied to volatility from the regional bank failures. Longer term, higher interest rates are a concern for loans in outstanding CMBS.

After a three-month hiatus, Fannie rebounded with $1.44 billion in CAS deals, while Freddie’s STACR issuance totaled $611.0 million. (Includes data chart.)

Owners of scratch-and-dent mortgages, especially nonbanks, can’t hang onto these problematic loans forever. The good news: Sellers are more likely to accept bids this year.

Fitch Ratings has warned that jumbo MBS could face ratings pressure due to newer production.