Lenders and servicers alike are facing huge challenges due to the coronavirus, with many rising to the operational challenge. However, when it comes to MSR sales, the picture is bleak.

Despite a modest gain in production volume, income from originations and secondary market fell from the third to the fourth quarter. But higher interest rates stabilized performance on the servicing side of the business. (Includes data chart.)

Mortgage REITs came back from the brink this week, but the sector is not out of the woods quite yet. Thanks to the coronavirus, financial uncertainty remains the watchword.