Some mortgage attorneys believe pricing disparities of 6 basis points to 25 bps can result in a fair-lending referral.

The fee assessed by FHA would cost lenders roughly $30 million a year, or $23 per loan, according to calculations done by Inside Mortgage Finance.

The first two months of 2014 generated just $132.85 billion of new agency MBS, down 57.6 percent from the same period last year. A harsh winter in many parts of the country hasn’t helped.

The VA loan limit for the Honolulu area has been increased to $721,050 from $625,000, thanks to Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI.

Warehouse lines of credit extended by commercial banks to non-depository lenders fell a modest 11.8 percent in the fourth quarter on a sequential basis, but executives who work in the sector are reporting usage ratios as low as 20 percent. Based on exclusive survey figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, warehouse providers had an estimated $30.0 billion in commitments at Dec. 31 compared to $34.0 billion at the end of the third quarter. But a commitment is...[Includes one data chart]

Investors at private equity firms told IMFnews that they believe Lawsky is using the DFS as a “bully pulpit,” paving the way for a possible run for public office.

The InterLinc executive said there’s a great deal of interest from potential acquisition targets, but he cautions that, “Not everyone wants to make the move.”

“While we’re trying to lend fairly in an unfair world, the regulatory and enforcement apparatus have created this environment that we’re in and they will be looking to enforce based upon those rules,” said industry consultant Maurice Jourdain-Earl.

JPM has made it clear: the megabank refuses to chase market share in a world of declining originations.

Jumbo production surged 20.9 percent from 2012 levels to an estimated $272 billion – the strongest output for the sector since 2007.