Repurchase activity at banks and thrifts increased sharply during the second quarter. PNC Bank overtook JPMorgan Chase to lead the industry in buybacks. (Includes data chart.)

It’s not easy making a living originating loans these days, especially for third-party lenders. The latest firm to exit TPO: Rushmore.

The standards-setting organization made tweaks large and small to its model, to smooth out workflow issues between transaction parties, and to allow companies to build new products.

Under the proposal from Urban Institute authors, mortgage servicers would be required to call borrowers within three months to offer refinancing once a payment reduction is triggered.

Stakeholders talk about the challenges in sharing MISMO datasets between different parts of the industry.

Mortgage applications increased, affordability improved and defects are down; lenders expand outreach to Hispanic borrowers; Amrock offers cell phone e-close option; Rocket program temporarily reduces interest rates; study on flood risk disclosures; automated fraud detection.

Ginnie Mae could take additional actions on new eligibility requirements if problems emerge in the MSR market.

Issuance of GSE Supers appeared to take a hit in July when Fannie and Freddie implemented new fees on commingled collateral, but production rebounded in August. (Includes two data charts.)

It seems as though whole-loan prices for non-QMs have stabilized. Then again, the Fed just hiked interest rates.

Balance sheet reduction continues to focus on the Fed's Treasury holdings, with falling prepayments limiting the runoff of agency MBS.