Lenders are entering cost-cutting mode and looking to leverage new technologies to lower overhead while streamlining operations.

High interest rates are cutting into demand for mortgages; many consumers’ expectations for interest rates are wrong; ICE and Black Knight move close to merger; servicer using blockchain, lender guarantees underwriting results from AI; Flagstar’s mortgage tech accelerator; mortgage payoff fraud attempts increase.

Mr. Cooper’s servicing portfolio is expanding while the number of employees in the nonbank’s call center is declining. Investment in technology is helping to reduce costs and fuel servicing growth.

Loan originators are increasingly using holistic technologies to reach new leads and nurture old ones.

SEC approves Better-Aurora merger; FICO increasing mortgage revenue as originations decline; Rithm to spin off most of its origination/servicing business; impact of revised capital requirements for large banks.

ICE and Black Knight plan to sell Black Knight’s pricing platform in order to win approval from the FTC of a planned merger. Affiliates of Constellation Software have agreed to acquire Optimal Blue.

When using third-party models, banks should employ testing methods such as back-testing and benchmarking to meet compliance requirements, according to a RiskSpan analyst.

Originations, servicing and secondary market activity could all benefit from Blockchain, according to a new white paper from MISMO.

Servicers have found new success leveraging self-service technologies for borrowers looking for disaster relief and forbearance options.

Proposal for higher capital requirements on mortgages at larger banks expected next week; House passes defense spending bill without RON provision; Umpqua Bank selling one-third of its MSRs; MISMO publishes fee- naming guide; PrimeLending offering fast loan approvals; lender offers AI chatbot to potential borrowers.