Cenlar, a warehouse lender? It would like to be, but first the subservicing giant has to escape the regulatory jaws of the OCC.

Depository institutions posted nice gains in MSR values in the fourth quarter, thanks to rising interest rates. But higher rates come at a cost in the form of lower originations.

Bulk sales of agency MSR played a role in the growth of several nonbank servicing portfolios during the fourth quarter. The market continued to shift to higher-coupon mortgages. (Includes two data tables.)

Property insurance challenges and rising home values could make it difficult for homeowners to rebuild after the California wildfires.

Following a strong jobs report, many economists now expect the Fed to keep rates unchanged. Also, concerns about policies from the Trump administration are helping to drive up the 10-year Treasury rate.

Property insurance premiums are rising and accounting for a larger share of mortgage borrowers’ monthly payments.

Nonbanks, and even some large banks, would like to keep more of the servicing rights they create this year. But if origination profits sputter, all bets could be off.

The next step to revise capital requirements for large banks is undetermined, two mortgage efforts at the CFPB will fall to a Republican appointee and FHFA’s planned reforms for the FHLBanks face uncertainty.

Many consumers are expected to be in cost-savings mode in the first half of 2025, offering lenders opportunities to push refinances.

Not all warehouse lenders have jumped into the MSR-finance pool, but that could change over time.