The denial rate for VA home loan refinances fell sharply between 2023 and 2024, at the same time VA refi applications doubled, according to a new analysis by Inside FHA/VA Lending. (Includes data table.)

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee forwarded a partial claims bill to Congress, but committee members warned that tens of thousands of veteran borrowers are facing foreclosure in the meantime.

The Mortgage Bankers Association is seeking rollbacks and revisions of FHA and VA regulations that the trade group sees as burdensome.

Veterans United Home Loans saw a sharp decline in correspondent sales of government-backed loans in 2024, while volume at Guild Mortgage and Rate surged. (Includes data table.)

Sharp staff cuts at FHA, VA and Ginnie Mae could lead to major problems for mortgage lenders and borrowers, according to analysts. But for now it appears to be business as usual for originations and servicing.

Delinquencies on FHA mortgages are rising much more quickly than delinquencies on conventional mortgages, though large FHA servicers don’t appear to be too concerned. Meanwhile, VA foreclosures resumed in January after a moratorium ended.

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate VA mortgage declined from 6.417% on Feb. 20 to 6.094% on Feb. 28.

The correspondent lender has removed certain overlays on streamlined refinance programs at FHA and VA. Newrez, meanwhile, added some overlays.

Refinance mortgages, especially streamlined refis, came roaring back, lifting 2024 VA lending volume by a sharp 28.5%. FHA volume is estimated to have risen 14.3%. (Includes two data tables.)

Some $202.78 billion of loans were removed from Ginnie Mae MBS last year, with about 88% of them representing borrower payoffs. (Includes two data tables.)