The seller of the MSRs is an independent mortgage banker... 

Surprise: Guild plans to buy the South Portland-based Residential Mortgage Services through a three-year earnout valued at $197 million...

Among those looking to buy: private-equity firms...

MFA already owned a minority stake in Lima One.

With interest rates rising for much of the year, the asset value of servicing rights has become a more secured asset to lend against.

New York-based real estate investment trust unveiled plans to deploy as much as 10% of its capital — roughly $1.5 billion — in this sometimes volatile asset.

“March 31 servicing marks were up significantly from where they were at Dec. 31,” said George Christo, executive vice president of The Prestwick Group.

Interestingly, NYCB, which reduced its presence in home lending long ago, will now be a major player once again.

A thaw is in the air when it comes to auctioning off Ginnie Mae servicing rights...