Although nonbank advocates have long argued for FHLBank membership, new proposals from the Urban Institute address key challenges.

Refis are poised to increase and MSR values will decline as interest rates decline. United Wholesale Mortgage is prepared for the moment, having sold off a significant amount of MSRs earlier this year.

Cenlar remains the dominant mortgage subservicer in the nation despite being sanctioned by banking regulators almost three years ago. When might those sanctions be lifted? That’s hard to say.

Lenders and servicers have made significant investments in recapture capabilities in recent years for when interest rates decline and refinancing takes flight.

A bipartisan group of mortgage industry players opposes FSOC’s proposal to create a fund to help sustain mortgage servicers in times of stress.

Mortgage servicers should consider factors specific to borrowers’ circumstances when offering loss-mitigation options to avoid foreclosure, according to a recent Mortgage Bankers Association report.

The nonbank share of owned servicing increased from 55.9% as of the end of March to 56.9% at the end of June. Much of that growth was driven by large firms, which are gobbling up MSR and subservicing. (Includes three data tables.)

The servicing acquisition from Flagstar puts Mr. Cooper’s pro forma portfolio at the end of June at about 31% higher.

When it comes to MSR sales, UWM is a frequent user, but in the first half of 2024 the company exceeded expectations. For now, its model is: Originate MSR, then sell them.

Mr. Cooper, which has been tapping the unsecured paper market since 2020, has done it again — this time at a relatively cheap rate of 6.5%.