The most encouraging sign is that agency volume has been gaining pace. Production increased by 11.4 percent from May to June, with $76.48 billion in gross issuance.

Investors that have bought stock – and debt instruments – in the MIs are anxious about the phase-in period for the capital standards.

Avalos’ resolution targets approximately 300 underwater private-label security loans that were made on homes “particularly concentrated in San Francisco’s historically black, Latino and Asian working class communities.”

One MI CEO, who we called, said this: “Thanks for reaching out. We, along with the other MIs are currently in confidential discussions with FHFA and the GSEs regarding the new standards. Unfortunately, we cannot comment until they are public.”

A tax "extender" for mortgage insurance would help an already-healthy MI industry.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued $141.83 billion of single-family MBS during the second quarter, an encouraging 9.4 percent increase from the dreary levels recorded in the first three months of 2014.

Then again, there are different definitions of what constitutes a “re-performing” mortgage. Most of the loans trading in this market are modified loans that have six to 12 months of seasoning and a clean cash-flow history.

Nonbank capital rules from the FHFA will add certainty to the MSR market, but there will plenty of indigestion along the way.

Phoenix Capital said it has worked with Steel Mountain executives on different projects for 20 years.

It should be noted that after the FHFA IG report was released, the share value of Nationstar, Ocwen and Walter all suffered in trading...