These are trying times for most home lenders, thanks to a weak origination market. What to do? Keep trimming staff or tough it out? Meanwhile, some experts believe executives should start cutting their own pay.
“The producers move over to a new firm and that’s it — that’s the M&A activity,” said David Fleig, who runs MorVest Capital, a servicing advisory firm.
Home equity shared investment products are gaining acceptance, so much so that contracts are finding their way into new securitizations. BSI hopes to be a top player as an asset manager and servicer.
City National hopes to get in on the ground floor of a turnaround in MSR-backed lending. The federally insured depository is joining other warehouse providers that play in the space, but there are risks.
It’s status quo when it comes to mortgage banking M&A activity — and that’s not a good thing if you’re looking to sell. For now, it’s all about asset sales, mortgage servicing rights in particular.