Freddie Mac posted a $7.3 billion profit in 2020, including net income of $2.9 billion in the fourth quarter.

“Homeowners will be much more amenable to listing their houses this spring,” according to Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage applications fell by 4%, with declines in requests for both refinances and purchase mortgages.

Mortgage-backed security issuance by the GSEs offers one metric to feed into the crystal ball.

Coronavirus-related forbearance on mortgages serviced for the GSEs can extend three months past the initial 12-month deadline, according to the FHFA.

Ocwen Financial took another loss in the fourth quarter of 2020. The nonbank also received a cash infusion from Oaktree Capital Management with plans to grow.

While the share of mortgages in forbearance declined at the end of January, more than one million borrowers feel they're at risk of foreclosure.

After issuing a $345.40 million jumbo MBS in December, Redwood is in the market with a $527.40 million deal.

Among a diverse group of 20 banks, only one increased mortgage banking income on a sequential basis in the fourth quarter.