Proposed updates to rules governing VA interest rate reduction refinance loans drew asks from VA lenders and trade groups around loosening eligibility requirements for borrowers to maintain access to the product. (Includes data chart.)

A Ginnie SVP allegedly leaked information regarding an agency issuer to a private-sector firm, breaking the rules. A referral was made to the DOJ, but nothing ever came of it. Details? There aren’t many.

A last-minute budget deal resulted in funding increases for many HUD housing-related programs.

The proposal outlines the process and documentation requirements related to a borrower’s request for a review of their appraisal results.

Wells Fargo was a major player in the jumbo correspondent channel, with a nearly 20% market share. A handful of banks have a strong presence in this category, while nonbank competitors have faced hurdles.

Going forward, the FHFA will seek public comments when the GSEs are looking to launch new activities or products. There are also some broad exceptions to the public notice standard.

In October, new standards for qualified mortgages took effect. It turns out that a provision in the final rule also applies to non-QMs, which could limit originations of loans where lenders look at only a small number of a borrower’s bank statements.

City National Bank said it disagreed with the allegations, but settled anyway...

Appraisal reduction amounts, which measure a new appraisal’s shortfall compared to the loan’s unpaid balance, are generally considered an indicator of expected losses.

Increasingly, nonbanks are using their “owned” MSRs as collateral for repo lines. And why not? Servicing values continue to be strong, and prepayments are almost non-existent.