In another example of a REIT branching out, Starwood Property Trust has agreed to purchase a licensed lender/servicer. For now, all parties are mum but more deals may be afoot.

Ocwen Financial may have some MBS-related exposure, according to a new regulatory filing. Also, FHFA Director Mark Calabria opens up some more about the business practices of Fannie and Freddie.

The issue of fast prepays on VA IRRRLs refuses to die. Recently, VA mailed a warning letter to as many as 500 lenders. Inside MBS & ABS obtained a copy of the correspondence.

MBS and MSR investor New Residential signaled that it might engage in a large stock buyback program, but so far there’s been no activity. It’s possible political considerations might be a factor.

Three names are being kicked around to head Ginnie Mae, the government’s $2 trillion MBS guarantor: Robert Couch, Clinton Jones and Joe Murin. But is something else afoot?

The average daily trading volume in agency MBS spiked to a yearly high in September. But what will the Fed do next regarding rates?

The White House plans to nominate someone to lead Ginnie Mae but given the current political turmoil in Washington, is this a pipe dream? Investors don’t seem worried about the agency, at least not yet.

Are settlement talks heating up between GSE shareholders and Uncle Sam? Hard to say, but at least the housing-finance train is on the move.

The recap and release of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be a bonanza for investment banking/advisory firms that assist the government. There might be four contracts overall.

Ginnie Mae, the government guarantor that backs $2 trillion in mortgage assets, still doesn’t have a permanent president even though the election took place three years ago. Will anything change?