“I understand this is the largest attended ABA compliance conference. You’re welcome,” dead-panned CFPB official Steve Antonakes. “We'll see what we can do this year to boost your numbers a little more next year.”

So what’s stressing the mortgage industry out? Regulations, more regulations – and litigation and the threat thereof.

The good news for the mortgage industry is that the bulk of Dodd-Frank-required mortgage rules have already been issued.

“In recent client meetings, Stratmor heard that lender fees are now being included in the rate sheet price,” Yung said. Indications are that the 3 percent cap is causing lenders to fold the lender fees into the rate – specifically on the retail side.

“Due to the new Dodd-Frank guidelines, fewer buyers will be qualified to purchase homes, which will ultimately affect my livelihood as well,” one Realtor said.

It appears that CashCall is getting closer to finalizing a deal to sell some of its production assets to the publicly traded Stonegate Mortgage.

Apparently, CitiMortgage wants to grow its presence in the origination market, including the correspondent channel where it has a slight pulse.

If the CFPB is able to turn an enforcement action into a settlement, it’s far less likely to be challenged in court, the professor said.

Residential originators are getting more confident about lending outside the parameters of the qualified mortgage rule.

On the M&A front, a new report from Compass Point Research & Trading estimates that if PHH Corp. finds a way to sell its mortgage and fleet divisions, the stock should be worth $30 a share.