Manna from heaven? Roughly 87 percent of LOs expect residential production to exceed 2014’s volume…

Warehouse commitments written by commercial banks reached approximately $33 billion at yearend, according to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance – one of the healthiest readings in several quarters and a sign that all is well in the originations market. The only thing bothering most warehouse managers is how long the good times can last. “There is...[Includes one data chart]

Production of loans with a Department of Veterans Affairs guaranty increased 44 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period a year ago, thanks to strong refinance activity during the holidays, according to an agency spokesman. John Bell, assistant director for loan policy and valuation with the VA Home Loan Guaranty Service, said VA streamline refinance activity rose 18 percent year over year as more veterans took advantage of lower interest rates and lower downpayment in the fourth quarter. He said the VA is still in the process of collating data, declining to give further details. Nonetheless, VA production in the fourth quarter was fueled...

Freddie Mac actually increased its monthly volume by 7.3 percent from December levels, but Fannie Mae’s production fell 15.6 percent.

Analysts who follow the company are keenly aware that the Merrill contract accounts for 29 percent of PHH’s annual production.

Over the past few years there has been some debate about the role Fannie and Freddie play in the multifamily sector with GSE critics pushing for the two to scale back their involvement.

Warehouse lending executives interviewed by IMFnews the past week are reporting healthy usage rates from their nonbank clients...

Ocwen’s massive servicing portfolio (roughly $377 billion in UPB) is worth more than the entire market capitalization rate of the company...

Among originators, Freedom Mortgage ranks 10th. In 2014 it funded $23.63 billion, a 48 percent gain from the year prior.

Compass Point hiked its purchase money estimate to $819 billion from $787 billion.