The fastest-growing sector of the agency servicing market was the cohort with coupons of 5% to 6%, which was up 11.8% in the fourth quarter. MSR with rates above 6% surged to $2 trillion. (Includes two data tables.)

Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase increased mortgage production during the fourth quarter.

The Mortgage Bankers Association expects mortgage rates will remain in a narrow band this year while Fannie Mae forecasts declines.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said United Wholesale Mortgage’s acquisition of Two Harbors will expedite UWM’s move to in-house servicing.

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.