GSE purchase-mortgage volume with private MI held up a little better on a quarterly basis than GSE business without private MI in the first quarter of 2026. (Includes three data tables.)

The main difference in 2026 was that later-stage delinquencies increased.

Now, the economists project that the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will decline to only 6.1% in the fourth quarter.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte dismissed concerns about adverse selection risk tied to the optionality for lenders on FICO scores and VantageScore.

Western Alliance generated a gain-on-sale margin of 37 basis points in the first quarter, up from a 30-bp margin the previous quarter.

Annaly’s income dropped by 71.5% compared with the fourth quarter. But the real estate investment trust was profitable while other REITs that focus on agency MBS have posted losses for the first quarter.

Applications for both purchase mortgages and refinances increased last week as interest rates declined.

Changes in the fair value of agency mortgage-backed securities led to a $148 million loss at AGNC Investment in the first quarter of 2026.

“Government policy is squarely in the driver seat, defining and driving outcomes,” said Smriti Popenoe, co-CEO and president of Dynex Capital.

CFPB moves Section 1071 proposal forward; CFPB is looking to hire attorneys; FDIC appoints former CFPB official; DOJ dismissing reverse redlining lawsuit.