Production of first-lien residential mortgages increased by 17.3% during the fourth quarter of 2025. Refinances soared while purchase-mortgage activity declined as part of a seasonal trend. (Includes two data tables.)

In mid-December, MBA was projecting interest rates would hold at 6.4% throughout 2026. However, MBA now anticipates the average rate will be 6.1% in the first quarter and hold at that level through the year.

The trade group representing credit reporting agencies said MBA’s proposal to move to a single-bureau report is more about lowering costs for lenders than saving money for consumers.

Nearly 60% of the mortgage finance loans outstanding from Texas Capital Bank are in enhanced structures that carry lower capital requirements for the bank.

Nonbank lender Rate expects to expand the use of AI in its originations and sales processes this year.

Rather than detailing new policies to address housing affordability, President Trump highlighted two recent announcements. He also warned that he could “crush” the housing market.

President Trump’s announcement that the GSEs will buy $200 billion of agency MBS prompted mortgage spreads to tighten by about 20 basis points and some lenders to offer mortgages below 6.00%.

Both wholesale and correspondent lending look poised to increase this year, according to industry participants.

Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase increased mortgage production during the fourth quarter.

Lenders are looking to investments in technology to help scale originations without adding a huge number of LOs when lending increases.