It was a good news/bad news story for the second-lien market in the first quarter of 2022. Production increased nicely but outstandings fell. (Includes three data charts.)

Changes could be coming to the CFPB’s QM rule. Then again, maybe not. Meanwhile, second-quarter earnings season starts soon, giving us a look into originations and MSR marks at the megabanks.

FHA premium cuts are being closely analyzed by HUD while FHFA and Treasury have had no talks about reforming the GSEs through the PSPAs. MBA also pressed FHFA on LLPA changes for conforming jumbos and mortgages for second homes.

Steeply lower production volumes call for new lending ideas. Right? Some A-paper shops are jumping into the non-QM pool. Will it save the day or result in higher delinquencies?

With home-equity lending suppressed due to tight underwriting standards, nonbanks are finding some success in equity-sharing agreements. The risk: The products may be classified as loans.

A year of transition? Tough times require action on the part of mortgage CEOs. Some shops are adding new products and branch networks. Others are pulling the layoff lever.

Altisource Asset Management is shifting its focus from managing assets to acquiring non-QMs and other alternative mortgage products.

Finance of America recently posted a huge 4Q21 loss and saw its president depart. Challenges remain, to say the least.

When originations sag, one solution is to add new products, nonprime or otherwise. At least that’s what UWM did this week. Will it work?

Nonbank lenders discovered the non-agency jumbo market and helped drive production to a record $613 billion last year. The conforming-jumbo market fell sharply in the fourth quarter as lenders gamed the annual loan-limit adjustment. (Includes three data charts.)