The smart money says it’s time to buy MSRs again. Meanwhile, Texas Capital Bank tries to figure out its future.

Rates are rising and that means fewer applications. Yet, mortgage bankers and brokers are still hiring.

With refi business expected to decline later this year, a number of shops are rethinking their hiring plans. Lenders are set to face margin compression, excess capacity and consolidation.

Subservicing has been a growth business the past several years but now some mortgage bankers, flush with cash from the refi boom, are bringing the task inhouse.

Venture capital investors remain optimistic about the prospects for mortgage digitization, funneling $31 million to two technology vendors.

Federal regulators may secretly worry about nonbanks’ viability, but institutional investors continue to buy the debt of top-tier NBs.

Nonbanks’ performance amid disruptions caused by the pandemic supports growth. Moody’s increased its operating environment score for nonbank mortgage companies.

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.