Are loan officers headed for extinction? There certainly will be much less of a market for them in the future if the new online platform, No Originating Loan Officer, being rolled out by 360 Mortgage Group, a privately-owned mortgage banking firm based in Austin, TX, takes hold across the industry. On the other hand, fewer humans in the mortgage lending mix may mean fewer opportunities for errors, cutting compliance corners or engaging in steering and other discriminatory practices that ...

The FHFA estimates that roughly 143,000 GSE borrowers are still eligible to use the HARP program.

The company is also working with Stewart Title...

Mortgage closings moved out of the office years ago to places more convenient for borrowers. Now, technology allows closing to occur without all the parties being present in the same place. United Wholesale Mortgage claims to be the first lender to have completed a “virtual e-closing” with a refinance that closed at the end of July. The lender allowed the borrowers and notary to use webcam technology and electronically sign all of the closing documents. Previously, lenders offering e-closings have required some in-person contact with a notary to e-sign closing documents. “This ultimately eliminates...

With the troubles from the financial crisis fading in the rear-view mirror, the residential mortgage servicing industry could be on “the edge of glory,” if companies can elevate their game and keep it at a high level, according to analysts with S&P Global Ratings. “The financial crisis left mortgage servicing hanging on a moment of truth,” they said in a new report. “This led to substantial changes in the industry in the past 10 years, the effects of which are still being felt today.” The changes included...

Mel Watt called the credit score explorations one of the “most difficult” evaluations he’s taken on as FHFA director.

At PHH, from 2014 to 2017, Minton held the title of senior vice president and chief information officer.

Companies looking to acquire servicing via bulk transfers need to be mindful of how the transaction will impact borrowers, according to analysts at Strategic Mortgage Finance Group. Officials at Stratmor warned that a poorly executed transfer can significantly reduce servicing value as dissatisfied borrowers are unlikely to refinance with the lender/servicer. Michael Grad, a senior partner at the firm, said a servicing operation that maintains a strong borrower relationship and ...

Industry consultants contend that loanDepot – the nation’s 10th largest overall originator – still hopes to go public one of these days…

Advisory firm Mortgage Banking Solutions, Austin, TX, is working on three mortgage-related acquisitions...