Purchase-mortgage lending exceeded refinance production for the first time in five years during the fourth quarter of 2013, according to a new Inside Mortgage Finance ranking and analysis. The shift has been in the works for some time as the potential refinance market began to shrink when interest rates rose late in the second quarter of last year. Mortgage lenders originated an estimated $168 billion of purchase mortgages during the fourth quarter of 2013, accounting for 55.1 percent of total originations. The last time purchase mortgages comprised more than half of new production was back in the fourth quarter of 2008. But purchase-mortgage originations fell...[Includes three data charts]

Less than six weeks into the tenure of the new Federal Housing Finance Agency head, the policy direction of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s regulator remains a mystery, much to the consternation of some industry observers. Since Mel Watt was sworn into a five-year term as FHFA director on Jan. 6, the former North Carolina Democrat congressman has made no public appearances or policy statements, except for canned comments attributed to him in routine FHFA announcements. “Everybody wants...

The FHFA will show the MI standards to state insurance regulators first, but only if they agree to sign a “non-disclosure” agreement with the FHFA or the government-sponsored enterprises regarding the content they see.

Since Mel Watt was sworn into a five-year term as Federal Housing Finance Agency director on January 6, the former North Carolina Congressman has made no public appearances or policy statements except for canned comments attributed to him in routine FHFA press releases.

Fed chairman Janet Yellen told legislators: “I think it is really very important for Congress to put in place a new system to address GSE reform. I think we still have a system that has systemic risk."

The FHFA permitted Fannie Mae to continue without the ability to assess repurchase late fees because the GSE claimed the cost of setting up such a program could cost $5.4 million

Worried that New York State regulators will throw a monkey-wrench into Ocwen’s mortgage servicing acquisition plans? Don’t be.

Although Flagstar led the pack, it was the only bank to rank among the top five sellers of brokered loans.

Also, Morgan Stanley recently increased its stake in Arch Capital Group to 6.3 percent. Arch owns CMG Mortgage Insurance, which is being renamed Arch Mortgage Insurance Company.

What’s the best way to entice a workaholic mortgage loan officer who knows how to bring home the bacon? Answer: Pay them a huge signing bonus.