This week, the government-sponsored enterprises reported combined earnings of $7.69 billion in the third quarter of 2017, which was up almost $3 billion from the previous period. As the end of the year approaches, they also continue to reduce their retained investment portfolios as mandated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac earnings were boosted by a legal settlement with the Royal Bank of Scotland over non-agency MBS ... [Includes one data chart]

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Brian Vieaux, a senior vice president of third-party originations, said loan brokers are an “extension” of Flagstar’s reach through the retail channel.

Nearly half of the loans securitized by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae during the third quarter came from lenders’ retail platforms, a new Inside Mortgage Trends analysis shows. Correspondents generated 38.8 percent of the market and posted the highest purchase-mortgage concentration, 77.8 percent. Mortgage brokers were involved in 11.6 percent of agency business, with a relatively high 35.9 percent refinance distribution ... [Includes one data chart]

Fannie Mae CEO Timothy Mayopoulos added: “Damage from the storms will be with us for a long time.”

Through the first nine months of the year, Fannie has posted impressive net earnings of $9.02 billion.

According to bidders in the market, the early action focuses on loans that are “stuck” on warehouse lines.

There continues to be some nervousness about VA receivables because of streamlined refinancings, although regulators are trying to curb abuses in the program.

Flagstar Bank was the top originator of loans that fed prime non-agency MBS in the third quarter…

Look for another reverse mortgage lender to hit the auction block...