The Federal Home Loan Bank system earned $825 million in the first quarter of 2016, down from the $1.015 billion earned in the first quarter of 2015, according to figures compiled by the system’s Office of Finance. Lower gains on litigation settlements and higher losses on derivatives and hedging activities for the three months ending on March 31 contributed to the 19 percent decrease, according to the OF. Litigation settlements accounted for $348 million in income in the first quarter compared to $480 million a year earlier. The 1Q16 income was from the FHLBank of San Francisco’s $211 million settlement and the FHLBank of Des Moines’ $137 million settlement of claims arising from investment in non-agency mortgage-backed securities.

Although the GSEs are reviewing loans to make sure the new TRID forms are being used, not for technical compliance, Fannie Mae’s survey of lenders on the impact of TRID showed vendor coordination and communication with key players have been the biggest challenges.More than three quarters of the lenders surveyed cited challenges when it comes to managing and coordinating third-party technology vendors and communication with buyers, sellers and loan officers. In addition, smaller lenders said they feel more burdened since the rule took effect in October. Fannie said many small- to-midsized lenders indicated that they don’t have the same resources as larger institutions which can easily invest in upgrading systems and have in-house compliance resources to...

Freddie Announces Second NPL Transaction of 2016. Freddie Mac announced a $135 million non-performing loan transaction this week. The NPLs are currently serviced by JP Morgan Chase Bank. Bids are due from qualified bidders on May 25, 2016. The sale is expected to settle in the third quarter of 2016 and the NPLs are offered as one pool. The winning bidder will be determined based on economics, subject to meeting Freddie’s internal reserve levels. Fannie Names Winners of Latest NPL Sale. Fannie Mae’s winning bidder of all four pools in its fifth non-performing loan sale is Goldman Sachs. The sale included approximately 7,900 loans totaling $1.48 billion in unpaid principal balance. The transaction is expected to close June 27, 2016.

United Guaranty was the largest MI in terms of total policies written in 1Q16, but Arch Mortgage Insurance and National MI were the fastest growers.

Perhaps, the time is drawing near to once again raise the thorny issue of whether the Department of Housing and Urban Development should cut FHA premiums...

In almost 19 months, the capital cushions at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will fall to zero, which means if either government-sponsored enterprise (or both) suffers a net loss in a quarter, Uncle Sam will need to step in and supply cash to get the afflicted party back to zero. Depending on whom you talk to in the mortgage industry, a capital draw from Treasury could set off irrational behavior on the part of Congress or it’s much ado about nothing. …

Over half (51.1 percent) of VA loans securitized through Ginnie MBS in the first quarter of 2016 were retail originations, but only 39.1 percent of FHA loans came through that channel.

The market did not react kindly to Five Oaks' earnings news. At one point in trading, its share price was down 13 percent on the day.

Mortgage brokerage firms added 200 workers during March. Employment in the sector now stands at 80,400 positions.

Stonegate’s results were affected by declining interest rates, a plague that has marred the performance of residential servicers from coast to coast...