The Urban Institute says mortgage servicing compensation has been largely overlooked in the debate over housing-finance reform even though it plays a critical role.

Nonbank servicers are increasingly moving toward a capital-light strategy, suggesting steady demand for MSR and servicing-advance financing. The investor base for such deals is strong and growing.

Dealmakers remain optimistic on sales of mortgage servicing rights, but buyers have pulled back on what they’re willing to pay.

S&P expects mortgage servicers to continue offshoring operations, but an industry consultant advises caution in the current political climate.

Fannie Gets a Permanent CEO; Mr. Cooper Loses Some Luster…

Passive owners of mortgage servicing rights that have nothing to do with the monthly processing chores are now required to register with the Financial Institutions Division of the Ohio Department of Commerce, a change that has industry analysts and dealmakers scratching their heads.

The nation’s subservicing vendors ended the fourth quarter with $2.47 trillion worth of contracts on their books, a 9.8% sequential gain and a handsome 23.5% annual increase, according to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance. [Includes one data chart.]

The mortgage servicing market continued to grow in the fourth quarter of 2018, with most of the gains coming in the agency market, according to a new Inside Mortgage Finance analysis. [Includes two data charts.]

A roundup of the week's developing news.

Sales of bulk mortgage servicing rights spiked by almost 19% last year to $482.4 billion, but 2019 could be even better.