“As we take the next steps to quickly and responsibly implement a VA partial claim program, we expect servicers to continue to offer Veterans a full array of loss mitigation options,” VA’s loan guaranty service said.

Loans one payment past due increased 19 basis points during the second quarter, after declining during the first quarter.

The largest servicing gains in the past year were in servicing for Ginnie Mae, whole loans at nonbanks and in non-agency mortgage-backed securities.

Ted Tozer, a fellow at the Urban Institute and former Ginnie president, said he expects the volume of buydowns in custom single-family pools to explode as lenders take advantage of the rule change.

Beginning June 16, custom single-family pools in the Ginnie II program won’t be subject to the 10% concentration limit on mortgages with buydowns.

Lenders turned down 24.5% of VA refi applications in 2024, compared with 37.3% in the previous year.

The bill largely aligns with legislation approved in the House in May.

ARMs accounted for less than 1% of total FHA originations in 2024.

Ginnie MBS investors continue to have concerns about mortgages with permanent buydowns.

Guidance provided by VA in late April regarding the end of VASP lacked details on how to address timely applications that needed corrections after the deadline.