USDA lenders ramped up production in the third quarter of 2019 with a strong boost from purchase originations. More than 50% of total USDA originations were from correspondents. USDA servicing volume was up slightly from a year ago.
Reverse mortgage lenders saw modest growth in the second quarter with a mere 3.0% increase in HECM originations. The trend in the sector remains weak, with production at the mid-year mark down 33.7% from a year ago.
The volume of broker-originated FHA and VA refinance loans pooled in new Ginnie MBS jumped 94.1% from the first to the second quarter. Correspondent production saw the smallest gains among the three channels.
Purchase loans still accounted for over two-thirds of Ginnie loan deliveries, but the volume of incoming refinance loans had a slightly higher increase from June.
The purchase-mortgage and refinance sectors saw nearly identical gains in Ginnie volume last month, with most of the refi increase in rate-term transactions.
Average FHA and VA credit scores declined for both purchase and refi loans pooled into Ginnie Mae MBS in the first quarter. Wholesale-broker production gained a larger share of the market.
Ginnie Mae MBS production rose in April thanks to strong increases in both purchase and refinance business. Rate-term transactions accounted for much of the surge in refi activity, but cash-out deals remain the most prevalent.
FHA’s and VA’s purchase originations fell during the first three months of 2019 despite lower interest rates. On the other hand, lower rates helped boost both programs’ refinance production during the quarter.
Following seasonal patterns, the number of FHA and VA loans in early stages of delinquency fell sharply from the fourth quarter of 2018 to early 2019. Nonbanks continued to expand their footprint, accounting for 62.2% of outstanding Ginnie single-family servicing.
The volume of FHA and VA loans securitized in Ginnie Mae pools declined in 2018, according to an Inside FHA/VA Lending analysis of agency data. [Includes one data chart.]
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