The second quarter offered a “shockingly flat” environment for the asset value of mortgage servicing rights. But with interest rates beginning to creep lower, the third quarter could be a different story.

Two publicly-traded mortgage companies recently completed reverse stock splits and a third split is in the works.

Heavy bulk MSR sales volume helped several top nonbanks grow their agency servicing portfolios in the second quarter. Most of the top banks watched their agency servicing decline. (Includes two data tables.)

The rule would require mortgage servicers to only pursue foreclosure as a last resort and increase disclosure requirements. Loss-mitigation application requirements would also be streamlined.

Federal regulators are working on a re-proposal of a rule that would adjust capital requirements for large banks.

While forbearance options helped many homeowners avoid foreclosure during the pandemic, alignment between programs could help.

There’s more demand for mortgage servicing rights than there is supply at the moment, helping to keep prices for the assets elevated. Even if MSR sales increase this year, prices are expected to remain firm.

The CFPB has permanently banned three companies from servicing reverse mortgages. Separately, the bureau issued a proposed order against Freedom Mortgage for repeated submissions of faulty HMDA data.

Is your mortgage CEO worth $30 million a year? $20 million? That may depend on the company’s share price. It might be argued that some executives of publicly traded nonbanks earn their keep while others might be in for a case of comeuppance. (Includes data table.)

Lenders are once again making money on mortgage originations, though not a ton. For now, some are holding onto servicing.