Negative outlook for margins; number of foreclosure starts declined in February; MBA launches affordability index; MISMO seeks participants and input on new initiatives.

Finance of America had more than $1 billion of goodwill at the end of September. In the fourth quarter, the company determined its stock price was too low to recognize the benefit, prompting a massive loss.

As the origination cycle begins to turn, home lenders have a decision to make: How far and how fast should we cut?

Maintaining contact with potential borrowers through Truebill could lower the lender’s cost to acquire consumers, according to Rocket Mortgage CEO Jay Farner.

Rocket Mortgage, the big Kahuna of home finance, was not immune from higher interest rates in the fourth quarter. Still, the nonbank is rewarding shareholders with a special dividend of $1.01.

Banks that expand mortgage lending beyond their local markets into high-growth areas face some risks, according to findings published by the International Monetary Fund.

Leaders of New Residential and PennyMac Financial Services express a negative outlook on GOS; study finds eClosings generate a positive return on investment; Flagstar accepting applications for its mortgage technology accelerator program; borrowers surprised by the paperwork required for a mortgage; RiskSpan teams with Verisk to detail loan-level climate risk.

Among a group of 21 prominent banks that have reported earnings for the fourth quarter, nearly every institution took a hit on mortgage earnings. For many, originations declined along with margins.

As a technical matter, Better.com’s SPAC maneuver is still alive. But with the refinance business waning and gain on sales slipping, the company’s future looks cloudy, at best.

It’s earnings season! The early results show a mixed mortgage bag for the megabanks. The mega-nonbanks start reporting later this month.