Most of the banking sector's 1% drop in servicing for others is attributable to declining balances at Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. (Includes data chart.)
Although secondary market sales by bank mortgage banking platforms were down 8% in the fourth quarter, it still ranked as one of the busiest periods since early 2013. (Includes two data charts.)
Top-ranked servicer Ocwen Financial is trying to put its problems in the rear view mirror. But a new problem has arrived on its doorstep: Ultra low rates (again), courtesy of the coronavirus.
Mr. Cooper, the nation’s third largest residential servicer, reported strong earnings for the fourth quarter, aided by deferred tax assets and a mark-to-market gain.
No rate hikes in 2020? A totally “neutral” Fed? We’ll see about that. Meanwhile, non-QM lenders Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions and Citadel Servicing have bulls in their eyes.
Purchase-mortgage production is seen steady while refi activity is expected to decline. Low refi demand will cut into lenders’ profit margins. (Includes data chart.)
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.)
JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, which account for over 40% of the industry mortgage banking income, reported sharply different results in their third quarter call reports. (Includes data chart.)
Chase reported a huge increase in mortgage banking income that resulted in part from internal accounting while Wells posted a big decline due to MSR writedowns. (Includes data chart.)
The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points this week, assuring mortgage lenders strong operating conditions in the months ahead. Still, the production outlook is a bit darker for 2020.