Rising interest rates, falling prepayment speeds and a strengthening secondary market in mortgage servicing rights combined to push MSR valuations significantly higher during the second quarter, according to a new Inside Mortgage Trends analysis of call report data. Banks and savings institutions serviced a total of $4.869 trillion of home mortgages for other investors as of the end of the second quarter. Collectively, they estimated a fair market value of $48.70 billion for their MSR assets ... [Includes two data charts]

CFPB director Richard Cordray could be softening somewhat in response to the mortgage industry’s plea for regulatory enforcement relief when the new rules take effect in January.

Banking regulators are showing new concerns about appraisal management companies, especially those owned by depositories.

Five Oaks Investment, a publicly traded REIT, plans to acquire mortgages from jumbo lenders on a flow and bulk basis.

The letter to members of Congress is notable for which trade groups didn't sign on, including the American Bankers Association and Mortgage Bankers Association.

Loan standards are not loosening on conventional mortgages, but in the jumbo space the story is entirely different.

The secondary market for mortgage servicing rights is starting to look a bit frothy, so much so that many bulk offerings today garner upwards of 12 bidders per auction. A year ago just a handful of investors showed up. But that isn’t deterring Michael Lau, CEO of Pingora Asset Management, who earlier this year raised $500 million to buy MSRs. Lau said Pingora is plowing ahead with its acquisition plans, careful not to overpay while concentrating on “flow” deals on new originations. “We’re actively doing...

Maxine Waters is working on a GSE reform bill that likely will garner strong industry support, unlike Rep. Hensarling's PATH Act.

The city council’s favorable vote represents a rare notch in the win column for MRP, which has suffered numerous defeats in local jurisdictions across the nation, likely at a substantial loss to the firm’s financial backers.

Two Harbors revealed that it sold several billions of dollars’ worth of agency MBS in the third quarter as the assets became less attractive with rising rates. The proceeds will be used to buy MSRs.