The new requirements become effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after March 11, 2014. Comments are due by Feb. 10, 2014.

Two Harbors' recent move to gain access to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines through an insurance affiliate “will add a dedicated funding source for Two Harbors, and while limitations and restrictions will apply, it should alleviate some market concern regarding the potential for declining liquidity in the repo market.”

Fannie Mae announced Monday morning it has reached a $591 million agreement with Wells Fargo to resolve repurchase requests on certain loans originated prior to 2009.

Year-over-year through October 2013, the CoreLogic House Price Index appreciated more than 12 percent nationwide, with prices nationally now 16 percent above the low in the fourth quarter 2011, according to CoreLogic’s December MarketPulse report released Monday.

At September 30, Flagstar had capitalized the MSRs on its balance sheet at 107 basis points.

What's ahead for residential lenders and servicers in 2014? You might be surprised at some of our predictions. Hint: The servicing market looks good, at least.

Ginnie Mae chief Ted Tozer noted: “We want aggressive outreach to find out what the issues are. If they aren’t issuing, we want to know why."

“The recent decline in large-lender share of the primary market is temporary, and principally a result of cyclical factors that caused larger lenders to pull back from the market,” said Fannie Mae's Gerry Flood.

Freddie Mac reported new buyback demands on $3.3 billion of mortgages during the third quarter, a stunning 31 percent increase from the previous period.

Some 44 percent of mods on portfolio loans by eight large banks and thrifts include principal reduction in the third quarter of 2013.