In yet another cost-cutting move, loanDepot is halting 401(k) matches while some of its top brass will get raises. Meanwhile, is there relief on the way for low-balance mortgages? HUD is trying to lend a helping hand.

Among the corrections currently sweeping the industry is the salary demands of loan underwriters. Executives say some can be had for half of what they earned during the boom.

The Mortgage Bankers Association barely turned a “profit” last year even though originators had a banner year. If you’re guessing the reason for the performance is COVID, move to the head of the class.

Hearings in Congress with the CEOs of seven megabanks stretched for more than nine hours across two days. The executives touted mortgage programs for minorities and listed their regulatory concerns.

Appraisal professionals accused the GSE of using unsigned, boilerplate complaints when referring appraisers to state boards for disciplinary action.

The private pow-wow revealed broad agreement between government, industry and advocacy groups on how to deal with the nation’s affordable housing shortage.

Jonathan Kolodziej, an attorney at Bradley, believes the RFI is a significant opportunity for the mortgage industry to have a say in any future regulatory framework related to refinances and loss mitigation.

Mortgage servicers discussed forbearance, customer service and other issues at a virtual Housing Finance Strategies conference.

Banks, thrifts and credit unions all reported sizable increases in their retained single-family mortgages. And home-equity debt outstanding was up for the first time in 14 years. (Includes two data charts.)

Rising rates are putting pressure on both lenders and borrowers. Meanwhile, with originations constrained consolidations should increase.