Freedom Mortgage upped its FHA/VA production thanks to big gains in retail and correspondent activity, and even claimed the top spot in broker despite a 14% downturn. (Includes data chart.)

Survey respondents said only 13% of sellers would “definitely” be likely to accept an offer from a buyer using an FHA or VA loan, compared to 66% for conventional loans.

The upshot: The DOJ can proceed with its lawsuit against Nutter Home Loans for faulty underwriting.

FHA lenders funded $5.3 billion of new HECMs during the first three months of 2021, up a hefty 37.4% from the same period a year ago. (Includes two data charts.)

Both FHA and VA saw sharp declines in purchase-money endorsements in the first quarter, and the FHA actually posted a bigger gain in refinance business. (Includes three data charts.)

Ginnie Mae hasn’t had a “confirmed” president since early 2017. Is that about to change?

Freedom Mortgage remained the top Ginnie MBS issuer in the first quarter, though third-ranked Quicken Loans posted a mighty 47% gain from the prior period. Some 57% of loans securitized by Ginnie had VA guarantees. (Includes four data charts.)

Most industry watchers expect the FHA to lower insurance premiums some-time during Biden’s presidency. It’s just a matter of when.

FHA/VA lending through correspondents rose 6.0% in 2020, but other channels saw more robust increases from the previous year, according to an Inside FHA/VA Lending analysis. (Includes data chart.)