It’s never too early to assess hiring plans for a new year. But this time around, it’s a bit trickier given a new power base in Washington and the prospect for higher interest rates.

Increasingly, nonbanks have a large chunk of their assets tied up in mortgage servicing rights — some more than others. Is that a problem? (Includes data table.)

Purchase mortgages and refis increased across the board in the agency MBS market in the third quarter, with the strongest growth seen in refis that carried primary mortgage insurance. (Includes three data tables.)

Nonbanks are making money once again, which could pave the way for new nonbank IPOs. Also, some of the IPO class of 2020/2021 are trading above their out-of-the-gate prices.

Second-quarter acquisitions increased at the government-sponsored enterprises, but profits remained stable as credit reserves shifted.

The future looks somewhat positive for loan brokers, but not so for mortgage bankers. Not surprising given production trends, but a Fed rate cut in the fall could change the hiring equation.

Banks reduced their non-agency jumbo lending in the early months of 2024, with nonbanks picking up some of the slack. Deliveries of high-balance mortgages into agency MBS also declined in the first quarter. (Includes three data tables.)

Delinquency rates declined during the first three months of 2024, according to the Inside Mortgage Finance Large Servicer Delinquency Index. (Includes data tables.)

What’s a mortgage CEO worth in a dicey origination market? According to an early read of proxy filings, some chief executives received nice pay packages last year, while others saw reductions.

Refinance volume was up across the board in first-quarter agency business, but the sharp spike in VA activity caught the most attention. (Includes three data tables.)