The adjustable-rate mortgage share of total first-lien originations increased in 2017, according to a new ranking and analysis by Inside Nonconforming Markets. While originations of ARMs were essentially flat during the year, total first-lien production declined, boosting ARM share. ARMs accounted for 11.9 percent of total originations in 2017, up from a 10.3 percent share the previous year. An estimated $216.0 billion of ARMs were originated ... [Includes one data chart]

Lenders would be more willing to offer non-qualified mortgages if federal regulators established a “regulatory sandbox,” according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. David Stevens, president and CEO of the MBA, made the suggestion in a letter to the Treasury Department last week. He described the concept as a space where businesses can test innovative products and processes without risk of regulatory consequences from noncompliance. Stevens said a sandbox would be ...

Nonbank wholesale lenders rolled out a variety of non-agency products in recent weeks, including prime jumbo mortgages, non-qualified mortgages and nonprime offerings. Newfi Lending launched Sequoia Porfolio Plus, a program where all underwriting and exceptions are handled in-house. Steve Abreu, Newfi’s CEO, said the new offering combines “the best of jumbo and non-traditional borrowing options.” The program allows for loan amounts of up to $2.0 million, credit scores ...

Bill Ashmore, the former president of Impac Mortgage Holdings, is trying to raise money for a new venture that will focus on non-qualified mortgages. Ocwen Financial forgave approximately $857 million in mortgage debt in 2017, according to the firm. Since the beginning of 2008, the servicer has completed more than $18.5 billion of principal forgiveness via loan modifications, largely on non-agency mortgages. Velocity Commercial Capital is set to ... [Includes three briefs]

But Freddie Mac’s 37.2 percent drop was the biggest, by far…

Fannie Mae’s Servicing Marketplace has been up and running since December and the government-sponsored enterprise plans to add additional features later this year.

Pershing Square owns roughly 9.9 percent of Fannie/Freddie common…

The $81.35 billion in first-quarter Fannie/Freddie refi business was the lowest such total since the third quarter of 2014…

There appears to be a long line of counterparties willing to work with Ginnie…

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recorded sharp declines in new business volume during the first quarter of 2018 despite a promising launch into the spring homebuying season.