It’s not every day that an expanded-credit specialist branches out into conventional funding. But that’s what A&D Mortgage is doing via its acquisition of Flagstar’s TPO unit.

Depository institutions posted nice gains in MSR values in the fourth quarter, thanks to rising interest rates. But higher rates come at a cost in the form of lower originations.

WaFd Bank is ending its mortgage origination activity; TD Bank is considering selling jumbo mortgages; some banks are still increasing their mortgage business; President Trump issues order on housing, freezes regulatory efforts.

Roughly 20 of Acra's wholesale account executives and managers left for Champions Funding within the past month or so.

Stifel is telling its clients to reallocate into MBS from corporates. Meanwhile, MBS trades slipped in December but posted a strong year.

About 20 wholesale account executives and managers recently left Acra for Champions Funding.

Prices for credit pulls are rising again, prompting frustrations among lenders.

Originations at the two big banks increased by around 7% on a quarterly basis in the fourth quarter.

No longer is it a given that the Federal Reserve will cut short-term rates twice this year. And the 10-year Treasury rate is elevated.

“We’re in for a long slog,” one CEO told IMFnews.