VA sets return-to-office requirements for employees; Indecomm adds FHA underwriting; RHS interest rates increase; number of downpayment assistance programs grows.

The leaders of the big REITs that invest in agency MBS want a federal backstop for GSE MBS to continue.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency in recent years has done a better job than Ginnie Mae in interagency planning for a hypothetical nonbank crisis, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The Trump administration has initiated an effort to end leases on office space used by the federal government. Some properties in commercial MBS have government leases but few deals face elevated exposures, according to S&P.

Four companies among the top 10 primary servicers upped their portfolios by double digits on a percentage basis in 2024 — all nonbanks. (Includes three data tables.)

Lenders are facing a tough market for originations, helping to prompt sales of servicing. The supply of MSR is coming both from older vintages with interest rates well below current rates and new production in which a lender might not want to hedge the MSR.

Rithm handled servicing with an unpaid principal balance of $844 billion as of the end of 2024.

Scott Turner's nomination to lead HUD was approved by the Senate on a 55-44 vote.

Issuance involving closed-end second liens held up better than HELOCs and home equity investment activity.

Freedom plans to use proceeds from the offering for “general corporate purposes,” including repaying existing senior secured debt.