The sale of mortgage franchises is picking up but there’s a headwind tied to valuations. Owners are holding out for top dollar.

Nonbanks no longer have to pay all cash for servicing rights in the secondary market. Reason: Commercial banks have returned to the sector as financiers.

Nonbank Cornerstone Home moves to buy an FDIC-insured institution. Also, should anyone be worried about SoFi’s progress in mortgages?

Applications are down but not dramatically so. Also, UWM’s CEO sees opportunities in the M&A binge, namely the ability to recruit some top-flight talent who might be left without a home.

Two months after buying AmeriHome Mortgage, WAB is carving up its massive servicing portfolio and selling chunks to the highest bidder. What’s going on? Profits, for one.

Fannie Mae is feeling slightly more bullish on the origination picture for 2021. Also: Are lenders ready to chop heads?

Bulk servicing sales are beginning to catch fire. Credit: rising rates and slower prepayment speeds. Moreover, dealmakers anticipate a red-hot third quarter for transactions.

Has market sentiment spread to the MI sector? Genworth Financial scuttles (for now) IPO of mortgage insurance division.

Some investors in mortgage equities are putting their money to work elsewhere, but that hasn’t stopped fintech lender Better.com from entering into a SPAC/IPO maneuver. Launch time: the fall of 2021.

It should be a busy year for mortgage company M&A. One driver: the cap on loan sales through the GSE cash window.