Purchase-mortgage production is seen steady while refi activity is expected to decline. Low refi demand will cut into lenders’ profit margins. (Includes data chart.)
The industry increased profits on the production side of the aisle by pushing a higher volume of business through their platforms, reducing per-loan costs for personnel, occupancy and technology. (Includes data chart.)
Some lenders that were looking to throw in the towel after a rough first quarter experienced strong originations and returned to profitability as interest rates fell, putting the brakes on M&A activity.
The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points this week, assuring mortgage lenders strong operating conditions in the months ahead. Still, the production outlook is a bit darker for 2020.
Flagstar increased its servicing portfolio by about 50% on an annual basis as of the end of September while no other bank servicer in the top 20 posted double digit gains.
A lack of data standardization is holding back adoption of digital mortgage processes, according to a survey of tech vendors. Fannie Mae is urging the industry to adopt standards set by MISMO.
The number of eNotes being added to the MERS eRegistry is sharply increasing, indicating a growing use of eClosings. Some 36,000 eNotes were added in the third quarter compared with 17,000 in all of 2018.
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