The transfer of bulk mortgage servicing rights was strong in the second quarter but dealmakers didn’t really feel it in the auction market. Investment bankers believe the second half could see strong MSR sale activity.
Earlier this year, Wells Fargo offloaded roughly $20.7 billion in Ginnie servicing rights. The buyers? A bank and a nonbank. Meanwhile, the Equifax data hack will cost upwards of $700 million in settlement costs.
Mortgage Grapevine: MSR auctions have been few and far between of late, but all that may soon change. Meanwhile, Stearns Lending has secured the cooperation of its largest bondholder, PIMCO, to reduce its debt load. Now, it's just a matter of time and working with the bankruptcy court.
The company filed for bankruptcy protection this week, a maneuver that could lead to a merger with Finance of America. What the two nonbanks have in common: both are owned by The Blackstone Group. But it’s hardly a done deal.
Thanks to sustained low interest rates, auctions of mortgage servicing rights are scarce these days, but not impossible. Investors are still interested but they're cautious. Meanwhile, loan production continues to increase.
Mortgage Grapevine: Rushmore is buying another origination platform, a sign that mortgage M&A could be on the rise again. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae is offering buyout packages to a select group of employees.
Grapevine: A few days ahead of a scheduled bankruptcy auction, New Residential Investment Corp. has swooped in and made a "stalking horse" bid. Meanwhile, a big promotion at Fannie Mae and a record month for Guaranteed Rate.
Nonprime lender Deephaven Mortgage soon will have a new owner: Investment fund manager Pretium Partners, the brainchild of former Goldman Sachs executive Don Mullen. Last fall Pretium agreed to acquire specialty servicer Selene Finance. It's scouring for other deals as well.
Subservicing vendors continued to grow during the first quarter but a few firms saw a reduction in contracts. Cenlar remained the dominant player but Mr. Cooper, Flagstar and Ocwen are eager to compete. Meanwhile, consolidation looms.
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