The volume of both purchase and refinance loans was up sharply from March...

Ginnie Mae MBS production rose in April thanks to strong increases in both purchase and refinance business. Rate-term transactions accounted for much of the surge in refi activity, but cash-out deals remain the most prevalent. 

Ginnie Mae multifamily securitization fell 34.4% in the first quarter.

Retained mortgage portfolios at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were relatively unchanged in the first quarter as increases in MBS holdings offset declines in whole loans. The portfolios still generate earnings, but guarantee business is the biggest source of income.

A huge downturn in issuance of agency multifamily MBS was the key factor in a 23% decline in commercial mortgage securitization during the first quarter of 2019. Non-agency CMBS production saw a gentler 6% downturn.

In the first quarter MI rankings, it was a close race between Essent, Radian and MGIC...

While most banks posted improved revenue from the previous quarter, seven reported declining profitability...

For Fannie and Freddie, it was the highest concentration of low-score/high-LTV loans over the past five years...