With home-equity lending suppressed due to tight underwriting standards, nonbanks are finding some success in equity-sharing agreements. The risk: The products may be classified as loans.

When the going gets tough in mortgages, the tough retire. Then again, they can afford to, having made so much money the past two years. But who might replace all those graying CEOs?

In a refinancing scheme involving some 2,500 units, Seth Levine defrauded lenders and investors out of $60 million.

A year of transition? Tough times require action on the part of mortgage CEOs. Some shops are adding new products and branch networks. Others are pulling the layoff lever.

Altisource Asset Management is shifting its focus from managing assets to acquiring non-QMs and other alternative mortgage products.

Senators have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the FEMA program’s risk-mitigation calculations.

Finance of America recently posted a huge 4Q21 loss and saw its president depart. Challenges remain, to say the least.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchased fewer mortgages for mission-based multifamily lending in 2021. And this year their housing goals are even higher.

Outstanding home-equity loans fell another 2.0% in 4Q21. Lenders cranked out $181.80 billion in new HELOC draws and closed-end seconds in 2021, including $48.50 billion in the fourth quarter, up a modest 4.1% sequentially but almost unchanged year-over-year. (Includes three data charts.)

Origination profitability has been on a slippery slope the past year, but there are possible signs of stability. Or is that wishful thinking? (Includes data chart.)