Several large bulk MSR deals are pending, but can they get done before year-end?

HUD has been steadily auctioning off nonperforming mortgages the past few months. Sources in the market disclosed to IMFnews who some of the winning bidders are. They include: Credit Suisse, Ellington, Kondaur, PIMCO and Varde.

The "good" news for lenders is that interest in the mortgage industry is still strong despite declining volumes and shrinking profit margins.

Some sellers of residential servicing rights are selling bulk, but are also entering into "flow" components.

Industry observers who closely follow the GSEs predict that other private-equity firms and hedge funds will continue to buy the preferred and common shares of Fannie and Freddie, believing they can flip the stock for a quick profit or receive a pay-out down the road.

Lobbyists and analysts who track the market are unanimous on one key issue: GSE loan limits. From what we’re told, Watt will shelve any thought of lowering the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac mortgage limit in 2014.

A publicly traded real estate investment trust is the buyer of Fannie Mae MSRs offered by CashCall, investment banking sources said.

At the closing of the sale of Crossline, $500,000 will be held back to cover the CEO's indemnification obligations.

With refinance volume falling and minimum net-worth requirements heading north, advisors in the mergers-and-acquisitions market say undercapitalized firms should sell now, while they still can. Larry Charbonneau, a principal of Charbonneau & Associates of Texas, said he is currently working on four deals but noted that, “There a lot of shops out there with less than $5 million in capital that need to do something but haven’t realized it yet.” Although Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have net-worth minimums in the $3 million range, there is...

The man heading the MSR sales effort for Wells Fargo is Brian Kunar, who carries the title of senior vice president of servicing sales.