One positive trend for the mortgage insurance sector is that the growth in business during the second quarter was squarely in purchase mortgages and traditional MI loan-to-value ranges.

Don't believe the naysayers. Second quarter originations turned out to be better than expected.

“Under the proposed amendment, lenders who pursue these deceptive practices may receive a safe harbor for these transactions,” the CSBS said.

An early analysis of second quarter loan level data suggests that residential originations were a little better in the April to June time-frame than some might believe. See this website on Thursday for more information…

Non-QM origination volume could rise above $400 billion a year if the GSEs are no longer in conservatorship. Of course, Fannie and Freddie are nowhere close to doing that...

Impac anticipates that 90 percent of its non-QM volume will come through the correspondent and broker channels.

Over the past six months, many nonbanks have moved to sell MSRs as a way to remain cash flow positive in a tough origination market.

Marc Savitt, president of the National Association of Independent Housing Professionals, said he is seeing more lenders entering the wholesale channel. Most are nonbanks.

With just $1 trillion in originations expected this year, lenders and servicers are trimming their payrolls accordingly.

Will loan production in the second half surprise the naysayers? Will non-QM lending take off? Stay tuned...