The second and third quarters rank among the most profitable for the sector, though merger activity and changing mortgage strategies can make comparisons to prior periods tricky...

Four of the top five players in Fannie/Freddie servicing recorded declines in their portfolio during the third quarter, while small and mid-sized shops gained ground. (Includes two data charts.)

The strongest pulse in the secondary market for MSR was in coissuance transactions involving Fannie and Freddie servicing rights. Bulk deals continue to struggle. (Includes three data charts.)

Wells Fargo's huge increase in mortgage-banking income accounted for nearly all the gain reported by 19 publicly traded banks. Still, the second and third quarters of 2020 were incredibly lucrative for mortgage banking platforms. (Includes data chart.)

The July-September cycle was the strongest production level since the second quarter of 2008, when ABS issuance hit $73.42 billion.

Auto-loan securitization remained the biggest ABS sector, but business-finance deals recorded the biggest third-quarter increase. Delta’s air-mile deal set the pace. (Includes two data charts.)

The year 2020 is on the edge of greatness as third-quarter mortgage originations climbed to $1.14 trillion, just shy of the all-time record set 17 years ago. (Includes two data charts.)

In 3Q20, Quicken Loans was the origination king at roughly $84 billion, followed by Wells Fargo ($62 billion) and United Wholesale Mortgage ($54 billion).

It was the highest three-month production reading in the program’s history, continuing a run in which the past five quarters represented the five highest Ginnie totals ever.

Nonbanks continued to broaden their footprint in the Ginnie market even though top players like Quicken, United Shore, Mr. Cooper and AmeriHome recorded declining sales in the third quarter. (Includes four data charts.)