Spencer Stuart, headhunting firm, aided the MI in its search for a new CEO. A few months back former Freddie Mac executive Bruce Witherell was approached about the job, but passed.
Conventional mortgage originations held steady during the fourth quarter of 2016, but the government-insured market saw a noticeable downturn, according to a new Inside Mortgage Finance ranking and analysis. Production of conventional mortgages that fit under the purchase limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac actually edged up 1.3 percent from the third quarter, hitting an estimated $322.0 billion. That was the sector’s strongest three-month origination volume since the second quarter of 2013, when lenders pumped out $363.0 billion of conventional-conforming loans. Jumbo mortgage originations were...[Includes two data tables]
Six weeks into the new year and it appears that merger-and-acquisition activity in the mortgage industry is finally picking up – big time. Over the past 10 days, several – mostly “asset” related – deals have come to light, with the action being driven by private-equity money that’s backing nonbank lenders. Wall Street giant The Blackstone Group, which has a PE division, is involved as well. So far, the only depository that appears to be playing in the M&A surge is...
President Trump late last week signed an executive order laying out his “core principles” for regulating the U.S. financial system, and giving the head of the Treasury Department 120 days to detail how the current massive regulatory regime measures up. Trump’s core principles include fostering informed consumer choices, preventing bailouts, promoting economic growth, tailoring regulations and ensuring regulatory accountability. The broadly-worded order specifies, “Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect ... the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof.” The order was...