February’s new issuance was also the lowest monthly total for the GSEs since May 2014...

According to survey figures from Inside Mortgage Finance, wholesale/broker production accounted for 9.6 percent of fundings in the fourth quarter of 2015...

The decline was largely based on a seasonal slump in purchase-mortgage activity. Looking forward, primary-market indicators point to a solid increase in consumer demand.

In some purchase transactions, lenders require special certifications and inspections stemming from VA policy guidance.

If refinancings accelerate, Wells Fargo will need to step up production to protect its massive servicing portfolio...

Bid deadlines on the portfolios being offered by MountainView range from March 3 to March 8.

One of those GSE watchers is Bose George of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, who told us: “I see no reason for the administration to negotiate in any meaningful way with the plaintiffs..."

The FHA in 2015 posted significant shares overall among insured loans, except in purchase mortgages where private mortgage insurance enjoyed a slight edge over government-insured products, according to an Inside FHA/VA Lending analysis of agency loan-level mortgage-backed securities. The FHA accounted for the bulk of insured loans in mortgage-backed securities issued last year, writing coverage on an estimated $236.3 billion in mortgage originations, or 38.8 percent of all insured mortgage loans in 2015. Approximately $608.8 billion in securitized mortgages received...[Includes one data table]

Delivery of FHA loans into Ginnie Mae pools declined 21.6 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter, with correspondents accounting for the bulk of FHA loans securitized during the period, according to an Inside FHA/VA Lending analysis of Ginnie Mae data. FHA loans securitized in Ginnie mortgage-backed securities totaled $57.8 billion in the fourth quarter. Approximately $40.6 billion were purchase loans, down 20.6 percent from the previous quarter. MBS backed by FHA refinance loans totaled $17.2 billion, down 23.9 percent from the prior quarter. Correspondents and retail lenders accounted...[Includes two data tables]

There will be no further reductions of the FHA annual mortgage insurance premium or any change in the agency’s life-of-loan pricing, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s top officials.Testifying recently before a House Financial Services subcommittee, FHA Commissioner Edward Golding attributed a 27 percent increase in FHA purchase endorsements last year to a 50 basis point MIP reduction and continued low interest rates. Although he did not provide any updated guidance on MIP adjustments, Golding assured...