New research showed that media coverage of home prices helps boost home price growth. This appears to be true at both the state and city level.

Cyberattack will cost loanDepot at least $12 million; average borrower has nearly $300,000 in home equity; home prices overvalued across the country; MSR gain some value; new servicing platform from Sagent; MCT offers TBA pricing indicators; lender launches real estate platform.

FDIC call-report data show mortgage banking income at banks and thrifts declined by a quarter sequentially, although full-year profits dropped by just 4%. Chase was easily the most profitable bank in the mortgage sector. (Includes data table.)

The Community Home Lenders of America last week wrote to the CEOs of credit bureaus Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, asking them to roll back recent price increases on soft credit pulls.

The banking industry reported a slight contraction in its servicing for others in the fourth quarter of 2023. Wells Fargo accounted for a significant share of the industry’s decline. (Includes data table.)

One area of particular concern among quality control regulators is mortgage servicing rights transfers, a Mortgage Quality Management & Research vice president said last week.

The company estimates mortgage technology segment revenue growth in the low to mid-single-digit range this year. The segment boosted revenue by 17% in 2023.

Research shows that minority homebuyers are more likely to be approved for a loan if their loan officer is a Democrat.

Increases in property taxes and home insurance that bump escrow amounts could put homeowners in financial hardship, according to a new survey by Lereta.

Executives at Kind Lending and Paramount Residential Mortgage Group said lenders need to boost staffing levels to be prepared for increased originations this year.