Some mortgage attorneys believe pricing disparities of 6 basis points to 25 bps can result in a fair-lending referral.

A few weeks back, Rep. Mark Takano, D-CA, called for Congressional hearings on the single-family rental MBS market, singling out investments made by the Blackstone Group.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued $44.6 billion in single-family mortgage-backed securities during the month of February, a 5.1 percent monthly decline and a 62.0 percent drop for the first two months of 2014. February’s decline was less steep than January’s 15.8 percent month-to-month fall off in MBS. Top-ranked Wells Fargo’s Fannie and Freddie securitization at $6.70 billion rose by 25.9 percent on a monthly basis but dropped 71.9 percent year-to-date.

Loan correspondents and mortgage brokers continue to play a major role in the agency mortgage market, accounting for 42.9 percent of loans securitized by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae in 2013, according to a new Inside Mortgage Trends analysis. Correspondents accounted for most of the third-party originations securitized by the agencies, and Wells Fargo was the top producer of these loans. Just over half of the loans sold by Wells were ... [Includes one data chart]

The VA loan limit for the Honolulu area has been increased to $721,050 from $625,000, thanks to Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI.

Jumbo production surged 20.9 percent from 2012 levels to an estimated $272 billion – the strongest output for the sector since 2007.

Investors at private equity firms told IMFnews that they believe Lawsky is using the DFS as a “bully pulpit,” paving the way for a possible run for public office.

Non-agency mortgage lending staged a minor revolt in 2013, reversing two years of increasing domination of the market by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. The only growth spots in the mortgage market last year were in jumbo originations and home-equity lending, according to a new ranking and analysis by Inside Mortgage Finance. Jumbo production surged 20.9 percent from 2012 levels to an estimated $272 billion – the strongest output for the sector since 2007. Home-equity lending was...[Includes two data charts]

GOP senators recently dispatched a letter to FHFA Director Mel Watt, countering a plea signed by 33 Democrats in January calling on the agency director to immediately authorize GSE funding to the National Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.

Some mortgage technology consultants, speaking on-background, are prophesizing that the investment will lead to Google moving into the realty market and becoming a direct competitor to traditional Realtors.