FHA and VA lenders are gearing up for an uptick in purchase, refinance and renovation loans in the new year.

Industry and consumer groups want the VA’s upcoming Veterans Assistance Servicing Purchase loss-mitigation program to target borrower payment reduction, not a single interest rate target.

Housing counseling providers are backing a proposal from HUD to permanently allow for services to be provided virtually rather than in-person.

VA issued a reminder on loan assumption requirements; Fannie to update Desktop Underwriter with FHA/VA loan limits on Jan. 20.

Endorsements of FHA and VA insured loans increased by 9.2% in the third quarter while total first-lien originations declined. (Includes three data tables.)

Some $30.43 billion in Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities was issued last month. FHA volume held up better than VA activity. (Includes two data tables.)

HUD is planning proposed rules and final actions in the coming months that will impact the FHA program.

According to the agency’s latest regulatory agenda, the VA Servicing Purchase program is scheduled for release next fall.

The Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Mortgage Servicing Association want FHA to make additional revisions to rules for its planned partial payment supplement partial claim loss-mitigation program.

Industry participants support FHA’s plans to update policy on acceptable monetary investment funding sources and interested-party contributions for its home equity conversion mortgage for purchase program.