Other investment bankers who work the MSR market said declining interest rates and the “Ocwen” effect are hurting values.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week countered mortgage-industry criticism about its recently launched interest-rate checker tool. “The rate checker is an educational tool and is not a substitute for shopping,” a spokesman for the bureau told Inside Mortgage Finance. “One of the findings of our survey was that consumers who said they were very familiar with available interest rates were almost twice as likely to shop, compared to those who were unfamiliar.” Further, before consumers make a final decision about a loan, they should compare...

Investment banking firms that arrange subordinated debt offerings for mortgage originators are expecting a strong year in 2015, thanks in part to the dismal outlook for initial public offerings. “Sub debt is a good way to grow your business without it being dilutive to your company,” said Bill Dallas, CEO and founder of Skyline Lending, a lender that recently completed a $20 million deal with Ellington Financial, a publicly traded mortgage real estate investment trust. “It allows...

Thomas Gamache, national director of retail sales for Guaranteed Rate, has left the company and accepted a position with Citizens Financial Group...

Roughly 5 percent of Citadel's production is retail with correspondent accounting for 7 percent. The balance entails table funding.

Regarding Altisource, the phrase “catch a falling knife” comes to mind. Cooperman is the Chairman and CEO of Omega Advisors…

Is Ocwen the seller of the MSRs?

The separation agreement prohibits the mortgage industry veteran from competing with Ocwen for at least 24 months.

Two of the four, Chase and BofA, reported increased originations during the fourth quarter. At Chase, production was up 8.5 percent...

Altisource recently eliminated 800 employee positions and hundreds of contractors.