A new reality is settling into the mortgage industry, one driven by higher rates and lower profit margins. Fasten your seat belts.

A change in plans for Caliber’s MSR sales? Looks that way but bidders will get another shot. Meanwhile, servicing values are firming up.

Caliber, as a technical matter, still plans on selling shares to the public. But the company also is in the market with a huge flow deal. Confused?

When rates rise, all sorts of things can happen, like IPO-bound firms opting for a sale instead.

The bill includes more than $10 billion in homeowner assistance funding. The vast majority of that would go toward helping borrowers pay their mortgages, property taxes, home insurance and utilities.

New Residential posted a net income of $68.6 million in the fourth quarter; Ocwen continued its losing streak, coming up $7 million in the red.

Mortgage performance improved across the board during the fourth quarter. However, the forbearance rate has been stagnant since November, leading to concerns about foreclosures when moratoriums on such actions are lifted. (Includes data chart.)

Among the top 50 players in mortgage servicing, nonbanks saw their portfolios grow 5.7% from the third to the fourth quarter. Depositories posted a 2.9% decline. (Includes two data charts.)

The NCUA board in December voted 2-1 to allow federal credit unions to acquire MSRs from other FCUs. The lone dissenting vote came from Todd Harper, who was just appointed NCUA chairman.

With Wells Fargo being less aggressive these days, mortgage competitors feel emboldened to make offers to its best and brightest. A temporary situation?