Despite substantial declines in mortgage banking profitability at Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, the banking industry saw a modest gain in earnings during the first quarter. (Includes data chart.)

Nonbanks with large servicing portfolios are generating high margins from originations. The production is focused on agency mortgages, as nonbanks have largely stopped originating non-agency loans.

Lenders continued to increase loan originator compensation in the first quarter of 2020. However, this party won’t last long as the industry braces for recession, job losses and tighter underwriting.

Banks increased reserves for loans held in portfolio during the first quarter on implementation of new accounting standards. Many delayed the impact of CECL on regulatory capital.

Mr. Cooper Group and PennyMac Financial Services dominated the small group of publicly traded nonbank mortgage lenders with $525 million in net mortgage banking income for the fourth quarter. (Includes data chart.)

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.