Velocify, a provider of sales automation software, found that lenders that invest in technology to meet changing borrower expectations are more likely to grow.

A special edition of the CFPB’s supervision highlights report issued last week claims that some mortgage servicers continue to use failed technology that has already harmed consumers, putting such firms in violation of the agency’s servicing rules, which were released in 2013. “Mortgage servicers can’t hide behind their bad computer systems or outdated technology. There are no excuses for not following federal rules,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Mortgage servicers and their service providers must step up and make the investments necessary to do their jobs properly and legally.” The bureau acknowledged that some servicers have made significant improvements in the last several years, partly by enhancing and monitoring their service platforms, staff training, coding accuracy and auditing, and allowing ...

The increase in first-time homebuyer volume and market share has occurred without looser underwriting in terms of credit scores and loan-to-value ratios…

Ginnie Mae is once again getting anxious about the growing – and large – presence of nonbanks that service the agency’s MBS, fearing a liquidity crisis could erupt because some firms rely too heavily on “non-traditional and very sophisticated funding mechanisms.” In a statement issued to Inside MBS & ABS this week, Ginnie contrasted nonbanks to depositories “who traditionally were the primary issuers of Ginnie Mae MBS.” The agency added...[Includes one data table]

Mortgage lenders continue to face persistent repurchase demands from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but a growing share of them end up being withdrawn, according to a new Inside Mortgage Trends analysis of disclosures made by the two government-sponsored enterprises. During the first quarter of 2016, lenders repurchased or replaced $315.0 million of mortgage loans for breaches of representations and warranties. That was a record low for ... [Includes two data charts]

Commercial banks and savings institutions reported a small increase in the volume of repurchases and indemnifications regarding single-family mortgages during the first quarter of 2016, according to an Inside Mortgage Trends analysis of call-report data. Banks reported $764.1 million of repurchases during the first quarter, a 3.9 percent increase from the previous period. That was down 23.3 percent from the first quarter of 2015, however, and sets a pace ... [Includes one data chart]

A majority of mortgage companies plan to increase their spending on technology as part of their efforts to boost profit margins, according to the latest results from Fannie Mae’s quarterly survey of lenders. Some 56 percent of the 169 lenders surveyed by Fannie in the second quarter of 2016 listed technology investment as one of their top two strategies to increase profit margins, marking the first time a majority of respondents plan to increase tech spending to help profits since ...

Intercontinental Exchange will acquire a majority equity position in the owner of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems and “modernize” MERS, according to the companies. Terms of the investment weren’t disclosed, though ICE said the price and terms of the transaction are “immaterial” to the company. The transaction is expected to be completed at the end of this month. MERS is owned by MERSCorp Holdings, a private corporation and member-based organization ...

The chance of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac reform legislation passing Congress this year is virtually nil. But that hasn’t stopped industry trade groups from talking about the topic, or dispensing a barrage of advice for the Federal Housing Finance Agency about the withering capital cushions at Fannie and Freddie. The way things stand today, the largest industry trade organizations – and arguably the most powerful politically – are taking the position of “all or nothing” mortgage-finance ...

A top mortgage-industry executive called for the establishment of criteria for adjusting FHA mortgage-insurance premiums to limit taxpayer exposure and allow private capital to play a larger role in the mortgage market. In a recent blog, Patrick Sinks, president/CEO of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp., noted growing talk in the mortgage industry of another possible FHA premium reduction following last year’s 50 basis point cut. However, before that happens ...