While traditional non-agency jumbo lending lagged the overall market, the conforming-jumbo business was cracking. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae securitized $51.15 billion of single-family loans above last year’s $484,350 limit for one-unit properties.

Two mortgage-related conferences scheduled in March were canceled due to concerns over coronavirus spread. 

The top two agency MBS issuers in February? Answer: Nonbanks Quicken Loans and PennyMac…

But there’s also a dark side to the rate plunge: The servicing side of the mortgage business is looking at mark-to-market bloodbaths that could be the norm if rates don’t snap back by the end of the current quarter.

According to Anthony Hsieh, founder and CEO of top-10 lender loanDepot, the mortgage industry might want to ponder creating a “reservation” system for incoming applicants.

Nearly 12% of loans were underwritten using only one month of bank statements as the main source of income verification.

Is there any hope for GSE common?

Wells Fargo: “Like everyone, we are seeing an increase in mortgage application volume driven by lower rates. In order to help provide the best possible service to our customers, we continue to hire underwriters, processors and closers..."

“Mortgage originators are looking at record earnings for the first quarter,” said Chuck Klein, managing director of Mortgage Banking Solutions, Austin, TX, a consulting firm engaged in warehouse reviews and M&A activity.

Justice Kavanaugh stuck mostly to his already-established views: The for-cause removal provision is unconstitutional, and should be severed from the statute. Many of Kavanaugh’s questions centered on the severability of the provision.