Moody’s believes the servicers’ transitions into mortgage originations was positive, but raised concerns about declining refinance opportunities, competition with banks and the potential for nonprime originations.

Mortgage professionals should hang onto their hats. Loan production could plunge by 32 percent in 2014.

“The president believes that Rep. Watt is the very best person to lead the agency at this important time for the housing market and our economy, and that having a confirmed FHFA director in place will help promote certainty for the housing industry,” said a White House spokesman.

According to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, the GSEs took in $16 billion from buybacks during the first six months of 2013. At the same time, lenders succeeded in getting $7 billion in repurchase requests withdrawn.

The nomination of Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, to replace current Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Edward DeMarco may not dead after all.

The incredibly shrinking refinance market helped continue the shift in the mix of single-family mortgages securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the month of September, according to a new Inside The GSEs analysis.

Legislative reform of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA will take years, according to panelists at the Mortgage Bankers Association's annual convention.

In the wake of the JPM settlement, more megabanks may seek out of court settlements with the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Fannie, Freddie Update Mortgage Servicing Requirements. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have released updated mortgage servicing requirements in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s servicing rule. All of the announced changes are effective for servicing activities completed on or after Jan. 10, 2014. The updated servicing requirements relate to early intervention and communication with delinquent borrowers, alternatives to foreclosure and right of appeals, foreclosure referral and foreclosure suspension, and error resolution.

The incredibly shrinking refinance market helped continue the shift in the mix of single-family mortgages securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the month of September, according to a new Inside The GSEs analysis. Fannie and Freddie issued $78.6 billion in single-family mortgage-backed securities in September, a 20.0 percent decline from August, but a 7.0 percent rise for the first nine months of 2013. [Includes one data chart.]