The metaverse financing space is heating up, with major platforms handling hundreds of millions of dollars in “land” transactions last year. Whether mortgage companies should stick a toe in the water is an open question with plenty of risks and potential rewards.

CRA proposal would expand assessment areas for large banks; ICE to acquire Black Knight; Ishbia vows no layoffs at United Wholesale Mortgage; UWM competing on price; MBA concerned about kleptocrat legislation; Fairway unit offering NFTs of individual homes.

When poet T.S. Eliot wrote those immortal words about spring, he wasn’t thinking about the home-finance sector. But company headcounts are being reduced as shops plan for leaner days ahead.

Some $920.73 billion of mortgages originated during 2021 were sold to unaffiliated non-agency buyers during the year, a 19.6% increase compared with 2020. Guaranteed Rate was the top correspondent seller. (Includes data chart.)

University of Maryland professor Clifford Rossi says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are discussing ways to proactively deal with risks of climate change.

Mortgage industry stakeholders underscore how alternative data could help ensure equitable credit provision. Machine learning is key to identifying how alt data affects credit but also carries possible additional biases, they said.

Addressing housing supply shortages requires an all-of-government effort along with collaboration from industry and housing advocates, according to White House officials and industry stakeholders.

Purchase-mortgage lending expected to increase; tips on remaining profitable amid rising interest rates; Texas Capital Bank slashes projections for warehouse lending; mixed trends for closing costs; Optimal Blue offers benchmark pricing tool for third-party originations; Comcast venture group invests in Neat Capital; MISMO’s e-Eligibility Exchange.

Private mortgage insurers gained share in the primary MI market in the first quarter of 2022, helped by purchase-mortgage activity. VA loans accounted for the majority of refis with primary MI during the period. (Includes two data charts.)

Home prices have come untethered from rent, which could be a sign of “irrational exuberance,” according to economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.