Earnings were down compared with both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2025. Some of the biggest banks don’t have particularly high hopes for their mortgage businesses this year. (Includes one data table.)

Home prices are down in some areas, but inflation is more than offsetting any relief for homebuyers.

AI won’t necessarily reduce costs for servicers, but the technology can improve processes and borrower retention, according to industry participants.

loanDepot will launch a new white-label home equity line of credit product powered by Figure that can provide homeowners an equity payout in as little as five days.

The rise in home equity lending by nonbanks is driving increased use of artificial intelligence in the appraisal process.

Bank mortgage sales and originations rose in the fourth quarter to levels last seen in 2022. (Includes two data tables.)

Earnings reports from public companies showed gains in production-related and servicing income during the fourth quarter, but the broader MBA performance study found declines on both sides of the business. (Includes data tables.)

The lender’s gain-on-sale margin increased from 1.14% in the third quarter to 1.50% in the fourth quarter, with a rise in originations to boot. Leaders at the company cautioned that some lenders are gaining market share at the expense of earnings.

FASB looking at held-to-maturity hedging; NAIC proposes looser risk-based capital standard for mortgages held by life insurance companies; Better turns to new source of financing; Oregon bank to stop offering mortgages.

Mortgage executives believe reverse-mortgage products are a valuable tool to boost originations as the average age of homeowners is increasing and more seniors are looking for ways to take advantage of the equity in their homes.