Holdings of first-lien mortgages at banks and thrifts increased by nearly 10% in 2022. First Republic Bank stood out with a nearly 30% increase. (Includes data chart.)

Velocity Financial’s focus on non-agency business-purpose loans paid off in 2022. The lender’s income increased even as originations declined.

Altisource Asset Management is now originating bridge loans and non-agency mortgages for investment properties. The firm has agreements to sell whole loans to insurance companies and asset managers.

The non-QM share of Impac’s originations increased significantly in 2022. Still, its margins declined due to competition among lenders for non-QMs and weak demand for the loans in the secondary market.

Non-agency MBS issuance slows; Fund That Flip forms REIT for bridge loans; Arc Home hires Sprout’s former chief production officer.

The reverse-mortgage market was virtually glowing last year, with production increasing 24.6% to a whopping $29.65 billion. But much of that activity was front-loaded in the first six months. (Includes three data charts.)

Although the share of Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance decreased to 1.28% in February from 1.37% the prior month, there are still concerns about FHA/VA loan performance.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development took actions against 65 FHA lenders last year for various program violations.

The Center for Responsible Lending and the American Enterprise Institute want FHA and VA to implement measures to discourage harmful cash-out refinancings.

The Mortgage Bankers Association recommended the Department of Housing and Urban Development publish its proposed Section 184 guidelines in a policy handbook similar to FHA’s rather than in a Code of Federal Regulation.