As summer approaches, the mortgage mergers-and-acquisitions market is heating up – with mostly talk. However, soon that chatter may lead to actual deals. According to investment banking sources, at least three mid-sized nonbanks may pull the exit parachute soon, with offering books ready to follow. The identity of the three firms was not provided, but the firms are well known, said one source. Meanwhile, the list of possible buyers hasn’t changed...
A split in court rulings in cases involving “super-priority” liens makes the issue ripe for consideration by the Supreme Court of the United States, according to industry trade groups. Last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted a joint amicus brief to the Supreme Court, stressing that super-priority liens “eviscerate” the traditional standing of mortgages. The court case of interest to the trade groups is...
MBA's Stevens once again slams those in favor of a GSE “recap and release” plan, saying this group consists “primarily [of] stock speculators who are most concerned about personal profits” rather than the future of the U.S. housing system.”
Meanwhile, although GSE risk sharing seems popular in some circles, FHFA itself admitted recently that some of this coverage has come at premium cost to Fannie and Freddie.