Home-equity originations rose sharply in the second quarter as robust housing value growth and soaring interest rates formed a perfect environment for tapping equity by way of second-lien mortgages. (Includes three data charts.)

Among the corrections currently sweeping the industry is the salary demands of loan underwriters. Executives say some can be had for half of what they earned during the boom.

The Mortgage Bankers Association barely turned a “profit” last year even though originators had a banner year. If you’re guessing the reason for the performance is COVID, move to the head of the class.

Hearings in Congress with the CEOs of seven megabanks stretched for more than nine hours across two days. The executives touted mortgage programs for minorities and listed their regulatory concerns.

Appraisal professionals accused the GSE of using unsigned, boilerplate complaints when referring appraisers to state boards for disciplinary action.

Rising rates are putting pressure on both lenders and borrowers. Meanwhile, with originations constrained consolidations should increase.

The mortgage industry’s worst kept secret? A lot of originators are losing money on new production. How long can nonbank shops live off the fat of 2020-2021? We’re about to find out.

Lenders say the 15-bp surcharge on broker loans penalizes low- and moderate-income borrowers and flies in the face of the principle of the level playing field.

There have been plenty of “asset” sales by mortgage firms this year —  MSRs, for instance — but not “whole” company transactions. Is the bell about to ring?

Depository institutions’ share of mortgage originations grew for the fifth straight quarter during the April-June cycle, but nonbanks still dominated the market. (Includes two data charts.)