Sales of mortgage servicing rights have been nothing short of stunning the past five quarters. Can the good times last? Yes, if prepayment speeds cooperate.

FHFA is reportedly working to re-propose updated financial eligibility requirements for Fannie/Freddie seller/servicers. The changes had been put on the back burner at the start of the pandemic.

But credit-related charges at the mortgage giant went from $194.0 million in the third quarter to $604.0 million in the fourth quarter.

Overall, mortgage delinquencies at the end of 2021 had returned to levels seen before the pandemic. Serious delinquency rates are elevated compared with the days before the coronavirus. (Includes data chart.)

Good news/bad news: Spanish bank Santander is staying in America — but it’s exiting mortgage finance.

Efforts to shore up its workforce face challenges ranging from a high number of retirement-eligible employees to budget uncertainties and competition for talent from both industry and other housing agencies.

An analyst with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods says a buyer might find the company’s mortgage servicing and technology segments of value.

The agreement restricts broker partners from sending loans or applications to Rocket Mortgage and Fairway Independent Mortgage. The California-based broker said the provision is illegal and anticompetitive.

If rates keep rising, owners of MSRs can mark up the value of this esoteric asset when reporting first-quarter results. As for the fourth quarter of 2021, conservatism was the watchword.

Non-agency mortgages for investment properties are increasing thanks to volatility in GSE pricing and lenient underwriting standards. Volume could take a hit as interest rates increase.