Rocket, UWM offer low-downpayment products; CFPB finds sharp differences in loan pricing; servicing profits improve; timing for recession unclear; quantifying the refi boom; Freddie improves paystub analysis; Blend offers soft credit pulls; MISMO seeks comments on closing standards; Maxwell acquires capital markets provider; fractional homeownership.

Private mortgage insurers gained market share in the agency purchase market during the first quarter, even as securitization of insured mortgages declined. (Includes two data charts.)

Climate change means future hurricanes will be more severe and have a more northerly track, changing the geography of loss risk for lenders and insurers alike.

Rising interest rates took a bigger bite out of private MI activity than FHA business in the fourth quarter of 2022. On an annual basis, primary MI activity fell, based on agency MBS issuance, though issuance volume involving loans without MI was off by even more. (Includes two data charts.)

Among purchase mortgages with primary mortgage insurance, GSE volume declined in the third quarter while FHA and VA volume increased. California also lost its spot as the top source of loans with MI. (Includes two data charts.)

Low-balance borrowers seeking to refinance pay proportionally higher closing costs and receive a smaller reduction in interest rates, according to findings published by the Federal Reserve.

Purchase-mortgage business with primary mortgage insurance held up well in the second quarter while refi activity dropped, according to an analysis of agency MBS issuance. (Includes two data charts.)

University of Maryland professor Clifford Rossi says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are discussing ways to proactively deal with risks of climate change.

Private mortgage insurers gained share in the primary MI market in the first quarter of 2022, helped by purchase-mortgage activity. VA loans accounted for the majority of refis with primary MI during the period. (Includes two data charts.)

Private mortgage insurers lost market share in the agency purchase market during the last quarter of 2021, while FHA production shifted toward riskier business.