The servicing side of residential finance, in particular processing fees and MSR sales, has saved many a lender from the abyss during the correction of the past year. But it hasn’t been a complete joyride. Rising personnel costs and technology expenditures are a concern.

Commercial banks continue to look sideways at the residential lending business, wondering why they should be in it at all. Some are getting out while others are scaling back significantly.

Servicers of FHA-insured loans have until April 30 to implement the revised loss-mitigation program.

In November, the former employees filed a class action accusing AmeriSave of fraud, deception and breach of contract. The lawsuit is on hold pending arbitration.

Michael Hild’s 44-month prison sentence is much shorter than the 15 years recommended by prosecutors.

The loans backing the deal have average seasoning of 12 months.

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.