Originations of purchase mortgages with primary MI coverage fell slightly in the first quarter, but the spike in refi activity, especially in the government market, more than made up the difference. (Includes four data tables.)

The increase was driven by purchase mortgages, with volume up 11.3% on a monthly basis to $67.87 billion.

Publicly traded banks reported a 21% increase in mortgage-banking income during the first quarter of 2024. Improving gain-on-sale margins accounted for much of the increase. (Includes data table.)

All three agencies saw increases in monthly loan deliveries in April, with loan mods helping to boost Fannie to a 17.4% gain from March. The purchase market and cash-out refi remain strong. (Includes two data tables.)

In case you missed it: The VA reported an astronomical increase in its interest rate reduction refinance program in early 2024...

Production of new collateralized loan obligations as well as reset transactions in the first quarter of 2024 hit the highest level since the market reached all-time highs in 2021.

A surge in refinance activity — especially in the VA program — led to a significant increase in loan removals from Ginnie Mae MBS during the first quarter of 2024.

The first-quarter slump was largely confined to bulk sales of Fannie and Freddie mortgage servicing rights.

A substantial slowdown in bulk sales of Fannie/Freddie servicing led to the lowest secondary market volume for agency MSRs since the third quarter of 2020. (Includes three data tables.)

The share of mortgages with primary MI increased by 2.1% in the first quarter, based on agency MBS issuance.