With interest rates on the rise, refinance volume is expected to drop in 2022. Purchase-mortgage lending could hit a record level, but it won’t fully offset the loss in refis, putting pressure on margins.

Fitch revised its outlook for Provident Funding Associates to negative due to competition in the wholesale channel but upgraded its rating of UMM’s unsecured debt. MISMO is seeking comments on tech that would help obtain MI quotes.

Mortgage bankers continue to search for new talent, particularly in the non-QM sector. However, the overall mortgage employment reading declined recently. An aberration or something else?

In quarters past, predictions of a boom in mortgage company sales have been premature. But what about now? And can sellers close by yearend?

Banks reported a 10% drop in retail originations through their mortgage banking operations in the second quarter. Loan sales also declined and likely continued to in the third quarter. (Includes two data charts.)

The debt issuance window is still open for certain well-heeled nonbank lender/servicers. As for everyone else...

LoanLogics analysts discuss the human/machine interface.

Incenter Appraisal Management launched a remote appraisal service, United Wholesale Mortgage is allowing brokers to bypass appraisal management companies and Fannie Mae is looking to reduce appraisal bias.

Layoffs in the mortgage industry? No, not yet. Actually, there were modest staff reductions in 2Q21 but most of the displaced landed quickly.

Nearly half of the executives surveyed by Fannie Mae expect profit margins to contract in the fourth quarter.