UWM accepted six mortgage payments with cryptocurrency before ending the pilot program; closing costs increased in the first half of 2021; Fannie strengthened underwriting standards for condos and co-ops.

Sales to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac saw larger concentrations of higher-risk mortgages, in both the purchase and refinance sectors. But high-FICO loans continue to account for most GSE business. (Includes two data charts.)

In quarters past, predictions of a boom in mortgage company sales have been premature. But what about now? And can sellers close by yearend?

Banks reported a 10% drop in retail originations through their mortgage banking operations in the second quarter. Loan sales also declined and likely continued to in the third quarter. (Includes two data charts.)

To help produce the record volume of mortgages originated in 2020, lenders embraced technology. Changes that could have taken five years to implement were completed in 18 months.

The debt issuance window is still open for certain well-heeled nonbank lender/servicers. As for everyone else...

The mortgage industry is under increasing pressure to enhance disclosures related to climate change but is facing challenges in determining common measurements and risk models, according to a new report.

The mortgage industry has welcomed the National Defense Authorization Act recently passed by the House for including provisions for minimum federal standards on the use of remote online notarization in mortgage closings.

A sharp drop in bank mortgage repurchases from the first to the second quarter was due mostly to one institution: USAA Federal Savings Bank. (Includes data chart.)

Incenter Appraisal Management launched a remote appraisal service, United Wholesale Mortgage is allowing brokers to bypass appraisal management companies and Fannie Mae is looking to reduce appraisal bias.