Mortgages tied to Ginnie Mae accounted for 18.3% of total servicing outstanding at the end of September. Some servicing share shifted away from the GSEs, though Fannie and Freddie still dominate. (Includes two data tables.)

UWM is set to buy Two Harbors Investment in a $1.3 billion all-stock transaction; mortgage broker employment increases in October.

Long-time industry analyst Chris Whalen said the GSE plans to disqualify some types of capital from use to calculate net worth.

The Basel III re-proposal could include relief for mortgages; FICO to release historical data for 10T score.

Subservicing volume increased during the third quarter but that could change as lending giant United Wholesale Mortgage is set to bring its servicing in-house. (Includes data table.)

Certain MSR buyers have been willing to pay lofty prices in recent years, hoping to recapture borrowers when interest rates decline. There are some questions about whether the moves will ultimately be profitable.

Low volatility and actions by the Federal Reserve are expected to help maintain demand for MSRs. Supply will also be constrained, with lenders generating profits and large firms retaining their MSRs.

Federal operations that were disrupted during the shutdown are expected to bounce back, helping lenders with loans stuck in their pipelines.

Lenders urged the regulator to spell out the GSEs’ conservatorship-era obligations that could apply even if Fannie and Freddie are released.

The fourth-largest credit bureau could help reduce the cost of credit report pulls for mortgage lenders.