Although the credit characteristics of Fannie/Freddie purchase mortgages have remained fairly consistent over the year, there were some signs of loosening.

The QM Plus option would be limited to loans secured by a principal dwelling. No subordinate liens would be permitted for purchase-money transactions.

Barry Habib, chief market strategist for RFC, confirmed that the privately held nonbank has closed branches but offered up few details.

How do you spell servicing relief? It all depends on who you ask. Meanwhile, First Guaranty Mortgage is entering the warehouse arena.

MGIC wrote $8.6 billion in new business in 3Q, up from $8.0 billion and $6.5 billion in the second and first quarters, respectively.

Bank of America's mortgage business appears to be profitable but only if you exclude its legacy business.

Since the summer, the regulator has been pondering reducing the current $417,000 maximum loan limit and the “high cost” limit of $625,500. At the earliest, a change could come by January.

The CFPB also said it is exempting servicers from being required to provide periodic account statements and certain early intervention contacts with borrowers who are in bankruptcy.

Rumors abound about mortgage firms either closing or laying off staff. Meanwhile, Auction.com, known for selling troubled real estate for banks and other investors, is offering up a $600 million pool of performing multifamily mortgages.

Industry advisors familiar with MIC told Inside Mortgage Finance that the nonbank VA refi specialist was almost sold to a bank this past summer, but the deal fell through.