Originations of first-lien home loans with some form of primary mortgage insurance declined 15% during the first quarter, a less severe downturn than the overall market recorded. Private MIs got the most benefit. (Includes four data charts.)

Volume was down across the board for insured mortgages, but PMIs saw a modest gain in market share in first-quarter agency MBS issuance. (Includes three data charts.)

HUD’s decision to reinstate its 2013 “discriminatory effects standard” could revive an old lawsuit brought against the agency by two trade groups.

The bipartisan Middle-Class Mortgage Insurance Premium Act was reintroduced in the House last week by Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, and Jimmy Panetta, D-CA.

The change affects new loans endorsed on or after March 20. The last MIP cut occurred in early 2015, when FHA trimmed premiums by 50 bps for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

Despite a downward spiral in new business and losing share to FHA, private MIs continued to report support strong earnings in the fourth quarter. Delinquency trends are edging up. (Includes three data charts.)

Upfront fees will decline for most low-income borrowers, but will increase for some middle-income homebuyers. The result is more cross-subsidy for the GSEs’ mission-based activities.

Average loan sizes generally declined in the agency market last year. But rising mortgage rates pushed agency DTI ratios higher as the year went on. (Includes three data charts.)

Private mortgage insurers benefit from recurring revenue from insurance-in-force, which makes declines in originations less problematic.

Originations of purchase mortgages with primary MI coverage declined in the third quarter, but the FHA stood alone with a sturdy 7% increase in purchase endorsements. National MI was the only private insurer to boost quarterly production. (Includes three data charts.)