Rocket Mortgage, United Wholesale Mortgage to increase stock float; UWM launches tech offerings for brokers; Blend selling title insurance unit.

Economists at the MBA don’t think interest rates on mortgages will decline much this year. Economists at Fannie Mae project a sizeable drop.

New artificial intelligence technology provides both promise and complications for the mortgage industry.

Among the top-five lenders in terms of applications received for conventional-conforming mortgages in 2024, Rocket Mortgage had the highest overall denial rate at 15.9%. JPMorgan Chase ranked second with a rejection rate of 12.0%. (Includes data table.)

The reporting of positive rental payment data to credit reporting bureaus can help increase homeownership opportunities.

Rosy recapture-rate projections prompt some pushback; Fitch removes Rocket from downgrade watch; PennyMac upsizes debt offering; MISMO seeking comments.

The nonbanks took negative marks on their large holdings of mortgage servicing rights as hedges didn’t fully offset a decline in interest rates on mortgages during the first quarter.

Amerant Bank launched national mortgage operations in 2021. Now, the bank is reducing its footprint, focusing on lending in Florida where its bank branches are located.

Although more lenders than ever are turning to automation and artificial intelligence, most see costs as the biggest barrier to the adoption of digital services, according to a survey by Stratmor Group.

During summer months, when loan officers are more likely to be overworked, denial rates on refinance applications increase, a sign of credit rationing, according to CFPB researchers.