loanDepot cites faults in wholesale channel; rate locks decline in July; foreclosure activity also down; MISMO seeking comments on various initiatives.

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.)

Mortgage originations down at big banks in second quarter; Better does worse in first quarter; loanDepot downsizing; foreclosure activity ramping up; MISMO remains busy.

A Fed economist outlines why the COVID-19-related economic crisis turned out so differently from the 2008 global financial crisis.

The Fed hiked short-term rates 75 basis points Wednesday, adding to uncertainty about originations. One thing is for certain: The refi game is over.

One economist is blaming the increasing tendency among older homeowners to stay in their homes for longer as one of the key reasons for the housing inventory crunch.

The social equity program offers downpayment assistance to residents and descendants of those who lived in Denver between 1938 and 2000.

Word is spreading that CrossCountry Mortgage of Brecksville, OH, is in the hunt to buy other lenders. As for who, that’s a different matter.

Higher interest rates didn’t have much of an impact on home price appreciation in March; Freddie Mac launched new automated underwriting capabilities; Fitch shifts its outlook for ratings of Finance of America Companies to negative; MISMO remains busy.

As retail and correspondent loan sales to the agencies fell by 20%, lenders became visibly less discerning about credit quality, with credit scores dropping and DTI/LTV ratios rising. (Includes two data charts.)