Although production and loan sales fell in the fourth quarter, 2020 was a banner year for mortgage banking operations at commercial banks and thrifts. (Includes two data charts.)

Banks continued to allow their portfolios of servicing for others shrink during a year when MSR production levels set records. (Includes data chart.)

Bank acquisitions in the mortgage space have been few and far between the past few years. Still, officials at Western Alliance believe it makes perfect sense for the bank to acquire AmeriHome Mortgage.

Banks reported $22.5 billion in mortgage banking income in 2020, according to call reports. Long-time industry leader Wells Fargo had a rough ride. (Includes data chart.)

Most publicly held banks reported substantial declines in mortgage banking income in the fourth quarter. But earnings for the full year were stellar, up about 78% from 2019. (Includes data chart.)

If mortgage originations are operating in a typical three-year cycle, profits will likely fall this year, according to industry analysts. The wild card: how lenders react to continued demand for refis.

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.