Merger-and-acquisition activity in the mortgage sector has been relatively mild so far this year, but suddenly the table has turned with a handful of deals announced over the past two weeks and some lenders publicly stating their intentions as buyers. And one thing seems certain: It appears that all of the acquisitions will be accomplished through “asset” purchases as opposed to the acquisition of stock, be it private shares or otherwise. Early this week, Guild Mortgage, San Diego, inked...

The bid deadline on the $783 million portfolio is June 16. The other deal – heavy with Texas product – has a bid decline of June 15.

Last year, $18.8 billion in outstanding IOs in non-agency MBS hit 10-year recasts…

Equity Prime Mortgage of Atlanta said it’s hiring in all areas, including sales, servicing, operations and compliance…

However, Fitch did raise concerns about the expenses associated with Pentalpha Surveillance, which will review potential breaches of representations and warranties…

Another bank seeing a pickup in clients is Southwest Bank, Dallas…

Rumor has it that a mid-sized nonbank based in the Western U.S. is entertaining takeover offers...

JPMorgan Chase may not like FHA loans very much, but it certainly has a strong appetite for jumbos, hence the huge growth in its retained portfolio...

Changes include an ability-to-repay safe harbor for loans held in portfolio...

The Lone Star bond could also receive credit ratings, which would be a first for a nonprime MBS backed by new originations in the post-crisis era...