Economists tease out the intricate relationship between forbearance, unemployment rates, home prices and new for-sale listings.

At a Senate committee hearing this week, consumer advocates called for stronger enforcement, industry representatives picked on the CFPB and Republicans and Democrats pushed different priorities.

While alternative data and artificial intelligence in the underwriting process could help reduce lending bias, consumer advocates are calling for oversight.

Nonbanks accounted for a record 71.7% of the $965 billion of home loans produced by the top 100 lenders in the fourth quarter. (Includes two data charts.)

While the staggering $2.6 trillion of refinance originations in 2020 captured most of the industry's attention, the purchase-mortgage market also hit an annual record of $1.4 trillion. (Includes five data charts.)

Warehouse providers racked up $137.0 billion of commitments at year end, arming nonbanks with the credit they needed to make a record amount of new loans. A repeat performance in 2021? Probably not, but a good year nonetheless is expected. (Includes data chart.)

As interest rates increase, Quicken anticipates lenders will reduce capacity, providing an opportunity for the nonbank to gain market share.

Trade groups representing appraisers said the proposed automated valuations are really just rebranded desktop appraisals, not too dissimilar to the ones that helped crash the housing market in 2008.

The powerful consumer regulator said extending the compliance date of the general QM final rule will give lenders more time to use the GSE “patch.”

Shorting mortgage stocks seems like an easy way to make money, Right? Don’t bet on it, especially when insiders own most of the shares.