FBR Capital Markets believes that smaller shops are not being counted in new estimates on loan production.

Is the White House ready to give up on Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, to be the next director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency? Don’t bet on it.

Big banks were the five largest jumbo originators last year, with Bank of America ranking second followed by JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and U.S. Bank.

The planned $209.95 million Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust 2013-J1 is backed by mortgages seasoned an average of four months from six lenders.

Michael Heid, president of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, said more clarity on reps and warranties would help loosen residential credit.

Committee Chairman Tim Johnson, D-SD, said the structure of the government guaranty for MBS “must be explicit, appropriately priced, and stand behind private capital that is not guaranteed.”

SunTrust to mortgage brokers: Drop Dead! Meanwhile, the inside scoop on the somber mood at the annual MBA show.

Among the nation’s top five lenders in 3Q, Quicken suffered the largest volume decline on a sequential basis. Wells Fargo was a close second.

During a Q&A session at the convention, MBS co-inventor Lew Ranieri said there is no “viable” alternative to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, noting that if the two disappear banks will not rush to put 30-year fixed rate loans on their books.

Bill Erbey, the company's founder and chairman, downplayed concerns that Ocwen is growing too quickly.