As expected, the Mortgage Bankers Association this week lowered its 2014 origination forecast to $1.12 trillion, a $57 billion decrease from its previous estimate. Word of the reduction was making the rounds last week.

The megabanks no longer have a total "lock" on the MBS issuance market. But is this trend short-lived?

Will Congress eventually final a legislative solution to all the GSE shareholder lawsuits that have been filed?

MSR sales, in general, are expected to be brisk in the first quarter as lenders sell receivables to make up for declining originations.

Paul Hindman, a mortgage recruiter, told IMFnews that he believes when it comes to hiring, “I believe we’re headed into a relatively flat period,” unless rates swing one way or another.

However, the greatest earnings impact could fall on such mid-sized mortgage firms as PHH Corp., Redwood Trust, and PennyMac Financial Services.

We continue to hear reports that Walter Investment Management is talking to a fairly large nonbank about a possible acquisition.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt ended his first week on his new job by announcing four special advisors “to provide counsel on policy and strategic decisions” at the FHFA. Megan Moore will join the Finance Agency as Special Advisor – Intergovernmental.

When it comes to the new QM rule lenders are operating from a position of fear. You can bet that mortgage attorneys in the Washington DC area have racked up the billable hours, holding their clients’ hands and supplying legal advice as the clock strikes midnight.

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association is opposed to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s recent proposal to begin disseminating data for transactions in ABS and non-agency commercial MBS, out of concern it could compromise market liquidity. At issue are FINRA’s proposed changes in Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine to disseminate additional ABS transactions and at the same time reduce the reporting periods for such securities. The proposal would implement shorter reporting timeframes for ABS transactions (initially 45 minutes for six months, then 15 minutes), as well as real-time dissemination of trade information. “While SIFMA members agree...