Retail originations by banks' mortgage banking operations rose to the highest level in seven years but they understate total lending by the industry. (Includes two data charts.)

Profit margins in the first quarter of 2021 will decline from the fourth quarter of this year, according to a survey of mortgage executives by Fannie Mae. Executives also believe the refi boom might have peaked.

The pandemic caused the iBuying market to come to a standstill, resulting in 50% less volume.

The newly public mortgage lender, Guild, reported $182.1 million in net income for the third quarter while the soon-to-be listed Finance of America posted net earnings of $241.6 million.

The top three banks reported a combined $2.3 billion in mortgage banking income for the third quarter of 2020, up $1.3 billion from the prior period. (Includes data chart.)

Time to start thinking about 2021? Sure, but lenders are plenty busy these days. The fourth quarter could be a barn-burner, just like 3Q20.

A lot of the decline in servicing-for-others held by banks was attributable to Wells Fargo and other big players in the market. A number of mid-sized banks grew SFO in 3Q20. (Includes two data charts.)

The MBA and many other trade groups have urged federal regulators to extend a break on troubled debt restructuring for loan mods related to the coronavirus.

There’s more than one way to skin an MSR cat. Meanwhile, looks like UWM’s SPAC will be completed in December.

The number of LOs hired and coached increased by 19% year-over-year, according to LBA Ware.