Three-plus weeks into the new year, a handful of large servicing deals are afoot. Arvest Bank is an active seller and Wells Fargo is contemplating its options as well.

It’s a new year and MSR sales are already beginning to heat up. But who will the most active buyers be in 2024? Count on Mr. Cooper, JPMorgan and private-equity-backed investors.

CrossCountry Mortgage owner Ron Leonhardt wants his nonbank to be the largest lender in the land. One way to do that is to buy other shops — and it looks as though CCM has another target in its sights.

Finance of America is ready to unload the last remains of its MSR portfolio. But it comes at an interesting time: Rates continue to fall, thus impacting asset prices.

The servicing side of the business continues to be a source of strength for mortgage bankers fortunate enough to own MSRs. Sales have been strong throughout most of 2023, just not as strong as last year.

As promised, CMG is once again adding to its retail branch network, this time in New England, thanks to its onboarding of staff from Shamrock Home Loans.

With the supply of MSRs expected to grow, there are concerns that prices won’t hold up. Meanwhile, the CFPB is considering incentives for lenders to retain servicing.

Federally insured depository PNC has been trimming the head count in its origination business while bulking up on mortgage servicing rights.

Servicing sales are brisk, but “franchise” deals remain elusive. As for branch sales, buyers fear the “falling knife” risk.

In the smoke and dust of a production collapse is the best time to be a buyer of other shops. That’s the philosophy of CMG Mortgage, now a top-20-ranked lender that should continue to climb in the league tables.