The retail share of first-lien originations bounced back above 50% in the second quarter. Still, in the first half of the year, third-party originations increased at a faster pace on an annual basis than retail lending. (Includes six data tables.)

Many efforts started during the Biden administration won’t move forward. But servicing reforms are still in the works at the CFPB. And the bureau is considering major changes to LO comp.

There’s speculation that the Trump administration will direct the GSEs to increase purchases of agency MBS, potentially as part of a declaration of a housing emergency. The move could help reduce mortgage rates.

Experts say financial incentives and public indifference contribute to the prevalence of occupancy fraud, but that the difficulty of proving intent limits prosecutions.

Lenders are turning to new data to identify refi opportunities. Some borrowers are willing to increase their mortgage rate to tap home equity.

Nonbanks aren’t exactly in a rush to hire new workers these days even though conventional rates are the lowest they’ve been in almost a year.

Non-agency jumbos and expanded-credit mortgages gained market share in the second quarter of 2025. Originations of jumbos increased by nearly 60% from the first quarter. (Includes two data tables.)

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, under the leadership of Bill Pulte, has made at least three criminal referrals to the DOJ about mortgage fraud, involving two Democrats.

The Mortgage Bankers Association was not immune from the cyclical nature of residential lending in 2024. Then again, its financial results could have been a lot worse.

Purchase-mortgage lending outpaced refinance business in the second quarter. But purchase-mortgage volume barely budged compared with the first half of 2024 while refi production was up 66.1%. (Includes four data tables.)