By targeting price cuts at low-FICO score and high-LTV borrowers, the new pricing grids of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could increase market overlap with FHA.

Only 23 lenders made streamlined VA refinance loans during the fourth quarter of 2022 as high interest rates have made the program nearly useless for veterans.

Trade groups recommended VA establish a permanent partial claim program that allows servicers to combine a partial claim with a loan modification for borrowers that need to reduce their monthly payments.

The VA is adding a step to its appraisal bias detection procedures. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors told the agency not to rush its appraisal modernization efforts.

The Farm Credit Administration is considering updates to the capital requirements for Farmer Mac, a government-chartered securitization company. The changes would be made to bring the rules up to date with recent changes at other agencies.

First Republic Bank is working to increase its share of jumbo originations, using a combination of customer service and low interest rates.

Conforming jumbos took the biggest hit in the fourth quarter as the volume of business Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conduct in various noncore categories decreased.

Six expanded-credit MBS started marketing within the past two weeks and there are also offerings of prime jumbos, HELOCs and even a credit-risk transfer deal from Santander Bank.

With potential first-time homebuyers facing affordability issues, some homes that would have been flipped are now being offered for rent, shifting financing strategies for borrowers.

Delinquencies on non-QMs increase again; Altisource hires COO for non-agency effort; DBRS adds Verity Global Solutions as an acceptable due-diligence provider.