A new year is upon us and even though production should slow in 2020, several lenders have big-time hiring plans, including Angel Oak and UWM.

The industry increased profits on the production side of the aisle by pushing a higher volume of business through their platforms, reducing per-loan costs for personnel, occupancy and technology. (Includes data chart.)

The application of blockchain technology in asset securitizations is growing faster in China than in other parts of the world, with at least eight deals completed.

A new paper published by Harvard University found that VA lending is strongest in areas near major military installations. Another finding: VA lending as a share of all mortgages has increased faster in places with higher concentrations of veterans or active-duty personnel.

A one-year-old mortgage startup in California decided to become fully owned by its employees. The concept is rare, but not necessarily new.

Mortgage repurchases and indemnifications by banks and thrifts declined 22.6% from the second to the third quarter, and repurchase reserves fell to their lowest level ever. (Includes data chart.)

Findings by HUD that mortgages with DPA perform worse than other loans fail to include important controls, according to research published by the St. Louis Fed. In other words, downpayment assistance loans aren't so risky after all.