CashCall, a refi specialist that sells most of its production to Fannie Mae, is shedding a large chunk of its staff.

At least two young mortgage insurance firms hope to go public by yearend. But how might the market receive these deals with so much uncertainty surrounding the GSEs?

One mortgage recruiter noted that job losses in somewhat rural communities can be a big problem for workers. “Sometimes they’re the largest employer in town and there’s nowhere else to go,” he said.

Wells Fargo late this week cut an additional 925 mortgage full-timers from its payroll while SunTrust Mortgage trimmed 800 positions.

Still, one industry lobbyist warns that with Cory Booker’s election to the Senate, the White House may be willing to exert more influence to advance Mel Watt’s nomination to head the FHFA.

However, according to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, the U.S. subsidiary of the Canadian-owned bank doesn’t even rank among the top 30 lenders, at least not yet.

The reduced head count at Wells Fargo is hardly surprising given declining refinancings, but there could be more bloodletting in the months ahead.

Golf is for slackers. Inside Mortgage Finance knows of at least four veteran mortgage banking executives who, after “retiring,” are looking to reenter the business.

Barry Habib, chief market strategist for RFC, confirmed that the privately held nonbank has closed branches but offered up few details.

How do you spell servicing relief? It all depends on who you ask. Meanwhile, First Guaranty Mortgage is entering the warehouse arena.