Despite a sharp increase in mortgage originations last year, the number of state-licensed loan originators increased by just 2.7 percent compared to 2011, according to data from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System analyzed by Inside Mortgage Trends. A total of 519,428 loan originators were either licensed by the states or registered as staff of a bank, thrift or credit union. The highest concentration of these LOs was in California, where 15.3 percent of the industry ... [Includes one data chart]

According to an analysis by Fitch Ratings, the overall charges for a simple jumbo non-agency MBS across all note-holders would increase to between 6.3 percent and 8.2 percent under the new proposal.

The launch of the revised CFPB database expands the bureau's consumer complaint apparatus in a major way. It includes a sub-category for many products, including mortgages.

Is Navy Federal's no-downpayment product safe? It believes so, and is quite happy with the delinquency experience on the loan but won't provide specifics.

Genworth moves closer to delinking from its mortgage insurance unit. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo has suffered the loss of a well-regarded regional rep.

Try as they might, the government cannot keep a good MI program down. FHA endorsements rose almost 19 percent in January.

The credit union industry has appealed to the U.S. Senate for relief on rules and regulations coming out of the CFPB.

Severely delinquent Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac borrowers may get a shot at a streamlined refi under a new program unveiled Wednesday.

Residential loan production for 2013 may turn out to be better than originally projected, thanks to a vastly improved purchase-money business.

Urban legend: mortgage lenders are beginning to loosen loan standards. Well, maybe only for "rich" clients.