Chase’s top officials shed light this week on how First Republic Bank’s high-quality mortgage assets and affluent borrowers fit right into the megabank’s wheelhouse.

Banks are reducing their appetite for new mortgage originations, particularly among non-agency products. Nonbanks see an opportunity to take some market share.

Lenders that focus on non-agency business-purpose lending are seeing success while traditional mortgage lenders struggle.

First Republic Bank has set its sights on cleaning up its balance sheet and originating loans for sale to the secondary market, which may be easier said than done.

The guilty plea by Sterling Bank includes $27.2 million in restitution. The DOJ said any higher amount would have put the bank out of business.

Agency securitization of high-balance loans fell slightly more than non-agency jumbo originations in the fourth quarter. The two markets are nearly mirror images of each other in terms of bank/non-bank dominance. (Includes three data charts.)

Will investors be interested in buying shares in a special purpose acquisition company that houses a bank/warehouse lender and assets put together by fintech guru Mike Cagney? Maybe in “normal times,” but we’re not operating in normal times.

Silvergate Bank has been in the news because of its crypto-finance-related business. But the depository is now in the process of trying to quietly pull out of warehouse lending. What’s going on? The bank isn’t talking.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Finance of America and its shareholders. Rising rates have hammered its business lines and it’s anticipated the company will exit the MSR arena. FoA went public just over 18 months ago.

It’s been tough sledding for Finance of America this year but it has plenty of company. Then again, the shop is under extra scrutiny since it was once the property of The Blackstone Group.