The conditional prepayment rate for prime jumbo, Alt-A and subprime loans dropped to 14.7 percent, 10.3 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of 2014, according to the ratings service.

The strong improvement from last year was driven largely by a 46.8 percent plunge in grievances about loan modifications.

However, a new research report from Sterne Agee notes: “We see the DFS as the primary log jam on the servicing transfer front.”

According to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, MGIC ranks second nationwide in terms of MI policies-in-force. Only Radian ranks higher.

The FHFA shortly will begin to collect additional, more specific and personal information on borrowers and loans as part of the National Mortgage Database project the agency launched with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Mortgage-banking income at nine major banks declined by 27.7 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the previous quarter, according to an analysis by Inside Mortgage Trends.

The total past-due rate on mortgages has declined in almost every quarter since the second quarter of 2011, helped by increasing home prices. However, not all vintages are performing in-step, as delinquencies are starting to increase on loans originated in 2004 and before.

While Congress is halfway through its two-week Easter/Passover recess, political pressure continues to build against the Senate’s bipartisan housing finance reform legislation, leading to growing doubt whether the scheduled markup of the bill will occur as scheduled later this month.

A new report by Fannie Mae finds that second-home mortgage market activity is in the midst of a strong rebound, representing a small yet significant corner of the mortgage market.

ICYMI: Late last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its guide to completing its integrated disclosure forms under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act.