There are signs that the “adverse market refinance fee” is pushing some business away from Fannie and Freddie toward government mortgage insurance programs. (Includes two data charts.)
With refi business expected to decline later this year, a number of shops are rethinking their hiring plans. Lenders are set to face margin compression, excess capacity and consolidation.
In a split ruling, the Fourth Circuit upheld a trial court’s decision to impose a $9.7 million fine against the nonbank lender for allegedly influencing appraisers to raise their valuation if it didn’t match a refi borrower’s estimate.
If mortgage originations are operating in a typical three-year cycle, profits will likely fall this year, according to industry analysts. The wild card: how lenders react to continued demand for refis.
Banks and credit unions increased their mortgage production from the second to the third quarter, but not nearly as fast as state-licensed nonbanks. (Includes data chart.)
Lenders surveyed by Altisource cited technology as one of their biggest challenges, while also selecting technology enhancements as an important factor to increase business.
Researchers at the think tank focused on the presence of appraisal bias during refinancing transactions because such loans “lack an arm’s length transaction.”
Profit margins in the first quarter of 2021 will decline from the fourth quarter of this year, according to a survey of mortgage executives by Fannie Mae. Executives also believe the refi boom might have peaked.
Only 18% of borrowers who refinanced during the third quarter remained with their previous lender/servicer. The reason: Competing lenders offering lower rates.
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