Mortgage application fraud risk increased on an annual basis during the third quarter as one in every 118 applications had indicators of potential misstatements, according to Cotality. When compared with the third quarter of 2024, fraud risk increased by 8.2% but this dropped by 2.7% from the previous quarter, the National Mortgage Application Fraud Risk […]
Mortgage fraud risk rises on growth of investor properties Read More »
Waterstone Mortgage is an independent mortgage banker which happens to be a fully owned asset of a bank, explained Jeff McGuiness, its president and CEO. It outperformed the plan submitted to its holding company, Waterstone Financial, and was profitable for all of 2024 and so far in 2025, looking primarily at its origination business and
Waterstone Mortgage on its structure and profitability Read More »
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two influential mortgage buyers the United States holds in conservatorship, are looking into doing more with loans transferred between buyers and sellers, according to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. “At Fannie and Freddie, we are evaluating how to do assumable or portable mortgages in a safe and sound
Fannie, Freddie eyeing assumable or portable loans: Pulte Read More »
The Veterans Affairs home loan benefit has been available for more than 81 years, yet misconceptions about the program persist, a Navy Federal Credit Union survey found. These misunderstandings affect both eligible borrowers and real estate professionals concerned about VA requirements. VA mortgage applications accounted for 13.4% of all mortgage applications in the week ending
VA loans gain ground despite misconceptions and shutdown Read More »
While the publicly traded title underwriters across the board reported improved third quarter results on a year-over-year comparison, helped by September’s refinance activity that several mortgage lenders referred to in their results. The biggest news from the sector came after the quarter ended, with three of the companies announcing merger and acquisition deals. Fidelity
Refis drive better 3Q for major title insurers Read More »
By Oct. 1, the first day of the federal government shutdown, mortgage subservicer Loancare was already fielding calls from borrowers asking what it meant for them and whether forbearance or other relief options were available. Consumers may have been more optimistic then. By Nov. 7, the shutdown had entered Day 38, concern was growing. How
How some mortgage servicers have handled shutdown fallout Read More »
National direct-to-consumer lender Sage Home Loans is entering into a partnership with leading retail securities trading fintech Robinhood to provide discounted mortgage options to the latter platform’s select users. Through an exclusive agreement, Robinhood’s gold-tier subscribers will be able to apply for mortgage loans through the digital platform’s app or website and take advantage of
Robinhood, Sage Home Loans enter lending partnership Read More »
If federal regulators were to reduce or do away with loan level pricing adjustments at the government-sponsored enterprises, the effect on borrowers would be modest, but it would reduce earnings at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysis found. Lower return on equity could put a crimp in privatization plans as
KBW says loan level pricing cuts could hurt GSE earnings Read More »
A 5 basis point drop in conforming mortgage rates boosted loan refinance application volume this week, but overall activity was down from seven days’ prior, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. Its Market Composite Index found application activity inched 0.3% lower on a seasonally adjusted basis from seven days prior and fell 0.2% on an unadjusted
Purchase apps languish even though mortgage rates decline Read More »
Seniors’ home equity holdings set a record in the second quarter as property values continue to increase, albeit at a slower pace than earlier this year. However, given the ongoing government shutdown, endorsements of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, the Federal Housing Administration product which makes up the bulk of reverse mortgage lending, are on hold.
Senior home equity holdings rise to record level Read More »