When originations go south, as they have the past year or so, mortgage bankers and brokers start trimming the herd.

The mortgage industry is bracing for a flat year in terms of volume due to higher mortgage rates, a slowing economy and weak loan demand. [Includes one data chart.]

Publicly-owned commercial banks and thrifts reported widespread declines in mortgage banking income during the fourth quarter, according to a new analysis by Inside Mortgage Trends. [Includes one data chart.]

Lenders that sell single-family mortgages to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac became slightly more daring in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to an exclusive new analysis by Inside Mortgage Trends. [Includes two data charts.]

Changes to the Department of Labor’s overtime rule are anxiously anticipated as they may finally answer, among other things, whether mortgage loan officers are excluded from overtime pay.

The share price of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac common has been on a bull run since late December, more than doubling in price. But how much more gasoline is left in the tank?

Loans originated on retail production platforms and sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae during the fourth quarter tended to have stronger credit characteristics than those generated by third-party originators. [Includes two data charts]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has acknowledged the rules it implemented in 2014 on servicing and originations increased costs for industry participants.

Struggling Ditech Financial late this week offered up a progress report on its future, saying — among other things — that one of its largest subservicing clients, New Residential Investment Corp., wants out of the contract.

The mortgage industry has more capacity than necessary, which is hurting profitability, according to industry analysts.