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Retail, Consumer Direct Lending Not ‘Viable’ for Northpointe
October 22, 2026
"We could no longer see a path forward for the profitability on the base level overhead that it takes to run an efficient distributed retail operation," said Chuck Williams, chairman and CEO of Northpointe Bank.
Annaly Expects Supply of MSRs to Remain Strong
October 22, 2026
Lenders are struggling with originations, providing incentives for sales of MSRs.
Chimera Launches Expanded-Credit MBS Shelf With HomeXpress
October 22, 2026
The planned $291.0 million issuance is on a shelf named Prism.
Homebuilder M/I Homes Sees ‘Choppy’ Conditions
October 22, 2026
The company generated $66.6 million of net income in the third quarter of 2026, down 37.5% from the third quarter of 2025.

Buybacks
Seller Repurchases of GSE Loans Bounce Up in 2Q
Seller repurchases of defective Fannie/Freddie loans increased 19% from the first to the second quarter of 2026. Although the 2025 book appears to be one of the cleanest in recent years, unresolved buyback claims were up 18% in the second quarter. (Includes three data tables.)
Channels
Retail Share Rising in Conventional-Conforming
The retail channel accounted for 44.2% of conventional-conforming originations in the second quarter among a large group of survey participants, up from a 41.4% share in the first quarter and a share of 38.9% in the second quarter of 2025. (Includes two data tables.)
MBS
Refi Activity Plummets, Dragging Down Agency MBS in 3Q
The flow of refis into agency MBS nearly halved during the third quarter. Purchase-mortgage volume was up 12.5% on a sequential basis; but over the first nine months, it was up only 1.3% year over year. (Includes two data tables.)
Originations
ARM Production Rebounds
Originations of adjustable-rate mortgages bounced back in the second quarter after a decline in the quarter prior. (Includes data table.)
Originations
Originations of Home Equity Loans Rise 20% in 2Q
Home equity lending is being fueled by accumulation of equity and elevated interest rates, which have diminished demand for refis. (Includes three data tables.)
Originations
Origination Share Up for Nonbanks, Large Lenders in 2026
Nonbank mortgage originations increased by 30.3% on an annual basis in the first half of 2026 while bank production was up 22.2%. (Includes two data tables.)

Inside Mortgage Finance

Primary MI Trends Split in Agency Market in 3Q
Government-sponsored enterprise business with private MI ticked up on a quarterly basis in the third quarter and FHA volume fell. (Includes three data tables.)
Incentives Grow for Lenders to Use VantageScore
There’s the LLPA reduction for VS4, lower prices compared with FICO and a more expansive population of scored consumers.
- Trump Admin Seeing GSEs as Useful Tool for Affordability
- Former FHA Commissioner Defends MIP Level
More Inside Mortgage Finance

Inside MBS & ABS

ABS Issuers Weathering Rising Rates; Investors Intrigued
October 22, 2026
Issuers are having difficulties sourcing assets and are facing widening spreads. Investors are still largely supporting issuance, with many eyeing esoteric assets.
Drops in Key Business ABS Sectors Slow 3Q Issuance
October 22, 2026
Issuance of vehicle ABS saw a healthy 10% increase in the third quarter of 2026, but the business sector recorded a 41% decline as securitization of data centers, fiber-network and aircraft finance faltered. (Includes three data tables.)
Mixed Views Among Investors in Expanded-Credit MBS
October 22, 2026
As interest rates increase, the value of outstanding expanded-credit MBS declines. Investors are responding by demanding higher spreads for new issuance, putting pressure on issuers.
Fitch Seeks Input on New Scoring Models for MBS
October 22, 2026
Fitch Ratings has called for feedback on how alternative credit scores could affect its MBS rating framework.

More Inside MBS & ABS

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Inside Nonconforming Markets

Prime Loans Lift Non-Agency Issuance in 3Q
October 9, 2026
Issuance of prime non-agency MBS increased by more than 20% during the third quarter of 2026 while expanded-credit MBS held steady. (Includes data file.)
NYLIM to Acquire Majority Stake in Invictus
October 9, 2026
New York Life Investment Management is set to acquire a majority ownership stake in the owner of Verus Mortgage Capital.
Non-QM Products Expanding Faster Than Origination Systems
October 9, 2026
The goal should be to bring non-qualified mortgages into the same digital workflows as the rest of the mortgage business, rather than into a separate process, according to industry stakeholders.
Borrowers Turn to ARMs Amid Affordability Challenges
October 9, 2026
Adjustable-rate mortgages are gaining popularity as interest rates rise. And bank lenders have an edge over nonbanks.

More Inside Nonconforming Markets

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Inside Mortgage Trends

Bulk Transfers of Agency MSRs Decline in Third Quarter
October 16, 2026
Rocket was the top bulk seller with a sharp increase in transfers, but a number of other sellers pulled back. Coissuance activity increased somewhat from the second quarter. (Includes three data tables.)
Loan Retention Still Key Even as Refis Slow
October 16, 2026
Lenders see recapture programs as a growth opportunity as origination volume is expected to decline next year.
FHA Lags in Purchase-Mortgage Volume in 3Q
October 16, 2026
FHA mortgages accounted for 32.1% of overall purchase-mortgage volume with primary MI in the third quarter, losing share to private MIs and the VA. (Includes two data tables.)
Credit Reporting Agencies Cut Prices, Launch New Products
October 16, 2026
Equifax, TransUnion and Experian have updated prices for pulling certain credit scores.

More Inside Mortgage Trends

Inside FHA/VA Lending

Slowing Refis Drag Down Ginnie Issuance
Issuance of government-backed loans to Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities fell in the third quarter, breaking with the typical seasonal pattern amid higher interest rates. (Includes four data tables.)
Jones Would Target Builder, Lender Cost Cuts at FHA
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, had little to say to FHA Commissioner-nominee Matt Jones aside from a remark that he would have a “tough job” amid the financial conditions borne of the Trump administration’s policies.
FHA Holds Course on UAD 3.6 as GSEs Waver
FHA announced it was taking the next step in implementing updated appraisal forms the day after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced they’d push back their mandatory implementation date by more than six months.
FHA Formalizes Credit Calculation Updates
FHA this week published updates to its credit scoring methodology to incorporate the updated FICO 10T model and VantageScore 4.0.

More Inside FHA/VA Lending

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Inside Mortgage Trends
Bulk Transfers of Agency MSRs Decline in Third Quarter
Rocket was the top bulk seller with a sharp increase in transfers, but a number of other sellers pulled back. Coissuance activity increased somewhat from the second quarter. (Includes three data tables.)
Inside Mortgage Finance
Primary MI Trends Split in Agency Market in 3Q
Government-sponsored enterprise business with private MI ticked up on a quarterly basis in the third quarter and FHA volume fell. (Includes three data tables.)
Inside Nonconforming Markets
Prime Loans Lift Non-Agency Issuance in 3Q
Issuance of prime non-agency MBS increased by more than 20% during the third quarter of 2026 while expanded-credit MBS held steady. (Includes data file.)
Inside MBS & ABS
ABS Issuers Weathering Rising Rates; Investors Intrigued
Issuers are having difficulties sourcing assets and are facing widening spreads. Investors are still largely supporting issuance, with many eyeing esoteric assets.
Inside the CFPB
CFPB Actions Uncertain as Johnson Confirmation Drags On
Industry experts said it’s unclear what actions the CFPB will pursue while waiting for Brian Johnson to be confirmed as CFPB director.
Inside The GSEs
Deliveries to the GSEs Decline by 10% in Third Quarter
AmeriHome Mortgage, one of just two banks among the top 10 GSE sellers in the third quarter, was also the only top 10 seller with a sequential increase in deliveries. (Includes two data tables.)
Inside FHA/VA Lending
Slowing Refis Drag Down Ginnie Issuance
Issuance of government-backed loans to Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities fell in the third quarter, breaking with the typical seasonal pattern amid higher interest rates. (Includes four data tables.)

Inside The GSEs

Deliveries to the GSEs Decline by 10% in Third Quarter
AmeriHome Mortgage, one of just two banks among the top 10 GSE sellers in the third quarter, was also the only top 10 seller with a sequential increase in deliveries. (Includes two data tables.)
GSE Executives Highlight Improvements in Tough Market
Freddie Mac’s Sonu Mittal and Fannie Mae’s Jake Williamson detailed the GSEs’ challenges and successes in a deeply troubled mortgage market.
More Inside The GSEs

As homeowner equity continues to build, more and more lenders are launching home equity lending products. Are you thinking of joining this market?