Banks, nonbanks and consumer advocates have major concerns about a proposal to adjust capital requirements for large banks. The proposal would touch on mortgage lending, MSRs and warehouse lending.

According to an early read, banks suffered double-digit home lending declines in the final lap of 2023 even though rates fell by at least 80 bps.

Fannie Mae has identified a significant number of appraisals conducted by unlicensed appraisers using stolen identities.

The lender said it is working with forensic experts and law enforcement to address the cybersecurity incident.

Consultant Paul Hindman may have said it best: “Hiring, then firing is just too painful.” The good news is that thanks to lower rates and the spring homebuying season approaching, originators soon may be hiring again. The bad news: It won’t be huge.

A cyberattack this week forced loanDepot’s servicing portal to go offline and its online loan applications process to stop working.

Appraisers are supposed to adjust the value of comparable properties to account for home price appreciation. FHFA found that most either don’t make these time adjustments or make them too small.

Seven Republicans in the Senate wrote to federal banking regulators, amplifying concerns already raised by mortgage industry participants about proposed revisions to capital requirements for large banks.

Is the worst of the mortgage market decline finally in the rearview? Maybe. One positive: improving share values of the IPO class of 2020-2021. The best performer in the group: Guild Holdings.

The coming year should bring greater origination volumes to the home finance industry. But CEOs shouldn’t order that new Tesla quite yet. To get there, a spark is needed: 5.5% conventional rates, at least.