Bills are expected to include provisions such as providing “qualified mortgage” status for many portfolio loans, with a much broader impact than the CFPB’s recent proposal.

The early betting is that PHH will hold onto the Merrill contract, but in mortgage banking, anything can happen...

The increase was a rare occurrence: Since 2009 the balance of non-agency debt outstanding has been on the wane.

KBW, by the way, has set a $1 per share price target for both Fannie and Freddie.

Mortgage companies that fall under the heading “real estate credit” actually cut 300 employees during the month, leaving the sector with 211,700 full-timers.

CHLA lists four specific concerns about the proposed capital rule, including a complaint that a 25 basis point “add on” (based on UPB) is too “severe.”

Cerberus hasn’t had the best track record with its mortgage investments over the years...

Walter Reports a $44 Million Loss, Cites a Pending Settlement with the CFPB. Walter Investment Management Corp., which owns the nation’s eighth-largest residential servicer, reported a $44 million loss for the fourth quarter, citing – among other things – a pending settlement with the CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission. “We have agreed to a proposed stipulated order with the FTC and CFPB, which is subject to approval by the FTC, CFPB and the court, and expect the settlement approval process may take a month or two,” the company noted in its fourth quarter 2014 earnings release. “We believe the proposed settlement is in the best interest of our business and all stakeholders.” This past October, Walter disclosed in a regulatory filing ...

FHA launched into the new year with a slight dip in forward mortgage loan originations in January from December with nonbanks leading the charge, according to Inside FHA Lending’s analysis of agency data. Lenders originated $11.8 billion in FHA-insured loans in January, a 0.7 percent decrease from December and down 3.5 percent from the prior year. FHA was charging a higher annual mortgage insurance premium of 1.35 percent for most of the month until a 50 basis point reduction, effective Jan. 26, lowered the MIP to 0.85 percent for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with a five percent downpayment, and down to 0.80 percent for a similar FHA loan with more than five percent downpayment. The impact of the reduced MIP on February originations is still unclear, but most FHA lenders are expecting a boost in volume because many consumers ... [1 chart]

Nationstar Mortgage has filed a $1 billion shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, signaling its intention to sell debt securities and other instruments to the general public. But whether the lender/servicer actually uses the shelf is another matter entirely. “The mixed shelf is the company’s first amendment or filing of a new registration statement since May 2013,” noted analyst Kevin Barker of Compass Point Research & Trading. A mixed shelf means Nationstar could issue debt, preferred and common stock, as well as depository shares and warrants. Interestingly, the filing came...