VantageScore Solutions has hired Emre Sahingur, a former chief risk officer for model risk management at Fannie Mae, as senior vice president for predictive analytics, research and product management.

Real estate investment trusts will increasingly become key investors in the credit-risk transfer market, according to recent analysis by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

Stress tests of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks went off without a hitch this year. But a closer look reveals varying performance among the banks in the event of a major economic downturn and their relative exposure to the risks measured by the tests.

Law firm Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates, along with two affiliates, has agreed to settle a civil lawsuit alleging the companies systematically defrauded Fannie Mae and the Veterans Administration by routinely overcharging them and submitting false bills for foreclosure and eviction-related expenses.

Freddie Mac issues a checklist, the IG at the FHFA concludes an investigation and brokers thrive in California. [Includes one data chart.]

Cracks began to appear in the housing market during the third quarter of 2018, leading to a modest decline in purchase-mortgage originations, but industry experts continue to predict a rebound next year. [Includes four data charts.]

Observers note that CFPB nominee Kraninger has no track record in financial services…

Purchase loans accounted for over 80.0 percent of third-quarter production at Wells Fargo, PennyMac Financial, Caliber Home Loans, U.S. Bank and Amerihome…

Ocwen, which paid $360 million in cash for PHH, also disclosed: “The purchase price we negotiated contemplated PHH could continue to incur losses.”

The volume of purchase mortgage originations will increase in 2019 even though interest rates will be higher, according to industry economists. Purchase mortgage originations will be boosted to some extent by a rise in employment and wages along with demographic shifts.