The conditional prepayment rate for prime jumbo, Alt-A and subprime loans dropped to 14.7 percent, 10.3 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of 2014, according to the ratings service.

The strong improvement from last year was driven largely by a 46.8 percent plunge in grievances about loan modifications.

According to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, MGIC ranks second nationwide in terms of MI policies-in-force. Only Radian ranks higher.

Mortgage-banking income at nine major banks declined by 27.7 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the previous quarter, according to an analysis by Inside Mortgage Trends.

The total past-due rate on mortgages has declined in almost every quarter since the second quarter of 2011, helped by increasing home prices. However, not all vintages are performing in-step, as delinquencies are starting to increase on loans originated in 2004 and before.

A new report by Fannie Mae finds that second-home mortgage market activity is in the midst of a strong rebound, representing a small yet significant corner of the mortgage market.

ICYMI: Late last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its guide to completing its integrated disclosure forms under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act.

The CFPB plans to launch a pilot project as part of its efforts to improve the mortgage closing process.

The market share for the top five sellers to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fell to 33.3 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

Ocwen's Bill Erbey sees the positive in recent scrutiny of nonbank servicers.