Home lenders funded $500 billion worth of new mortgages in the first quarter, a strong showing, but down 5 percent from the fourth quarter. Quicken Loans had the strongest growth rate among the top 10.

Issuance of non-agency MBS quadrupled in the first quarter, according to new figures compiled by Inside MBS & ABS. Firms selling securities include Ocwen and Nationstar.

Although the HARP program had record volume in the first quarter, the program is showing almost no growth, according to exclusive survey figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance.

Loan repurchases by seller/servicers fell last year, a sign that the worst of this problem may be over for the industry. Or is that wishful thinking?

Over the past five years, lender captives paid $706 million in losses. Most of these captives were domiciled in the U.S. and sponsored by mortgage lenders, receiving $2.92 billion in ceded premiums.

Total MBS and ABS issuance rose almost 3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012 to $515.3 billion during the first three months of 2013, according to a new Inside MBS & ABS analysis and ranking.

In two weeks the White House will meet with some of the largest residential funders in the U.S. But will President Obama show?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securitization volume reached its highest level in nearly four years during the first three months of 2013, according to a new Inside Mortgage Finance market analysis and lender ranking.

Roughly 270 depositories reported some mortgage buyback activity for 2012 but overall repurchases fell to a four-year low. Is the worst of the problem now over?

Inside MBS & ABS found big gains in the securitization of most commercial property types, including a huge surge in mortgages on hotels and motels.