Although the HARP program had record volume in the first quarter, the program is showing almost no growth, according to exclusive survey figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance.

It appears that Home Loan Servicing Solutions, a buyer of residential servicing rights, is making money hand-over-fist.

The Federal Housing Administration recently auctioned off $2.2 billion of nonperforming mortgages, getting about 45 cents on the dollar.

Democrats in Congress are putting pressure on federal regulators to increase oversight of servicers due to problems with independent foreclosure reviews and the $25.0 billion national servicing settlement. The regulators have pushed back to some extent while indicating that servicers will be subject to tighter oversight going forward. In 2011, consent orders from the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency required independent foreclosure reviews to be completed by 14 servicers with the help of consultants. In January, most of the servicers agreed to stop the reviews and alternatively provide $8.5 billion in relief to borrowers. The regulators acknowledged...

No one is suggesting that Wells Fargo will begin lopping off large chunks of its $1.9 trillion residential servicing portfolio in a fashion similar to what Bank of America has done the past two years, but clearly selling mortgage servicing rights is on its to-do list. The big question is how much Wells Fargo is willing to part with. The bank declined to discuss the matter with Inside Mortgage Finance, but confirmed that it seeks to hire what it calls a “project manager” to oversee the effort. A spokeswoman for Wells downplayed the significance of the hire, saying the person who eventually joins the staff will be a “non-executive.” At least four servicing professionals said...

Although all of Bank of America earned $2.6 billion in the first quarter, its mortgage business lost money thanks to legacy problems. Also, it appears the bank is addicted to refis.

Democrats in Congress have raised concerns about how five banks have responded to new servicing standards included in the $25 billion national servicing settlement.

Nonbank mortgages lenders will not get a pass on CFPB scrutiny, a top regulator told a gathering of the American Bankers Association.

The CFPB is a tough cop on the beat, no doubt. But is the agency and its rules causing certain banks in Oklahoma to exit the residential lending sector?

The industry is happy that the Home Affordable Refinancing Program has been extended, but it also means that 'HARP 3.0' might not come anytime soon.