Applications are down but not dramatically so. Also, UWM’s CEO sees opportunities in the M&A binge, namely the ability to recruit some top-flight talent who might be left without a home.

Fannie Mae is feeling slightly more bullish on the origination picture for 2021. Also: Are lenders ready to chop heads?

Fannie and Freddie both plan to increase their acquisitions of purchase-money mortgage loans secured by manufactured homes.

Mortgage industry veteran Ron McCord faces decades in prison after confessing to bank fraud and money laundering charges.

Has market sentiment spread to the MI sector? Genworth Financial scuttles (for now) IPO of mortgage insurance division.

Nondepositories may not object to the anti-redlining regulations if they come with bank-like privileges.

Borrowers will be able to save $100 to $250 per month. But eligibility rules to qualify for a refi may limit participation.

In January, the FHFA and Treasury limited the GSEs’ purchases of mortgages for investment properties and second homes to 7% of single-family acquisitions. Implementation of the cap is hitting lenders.

Freddie Mac turned in slightly lower earnings on a sequential basis as higher credit expenses dinged its bottom line. Next up: Fannie Mae.

Okay, industry consolidation is arriving. But what about prices? Also, more refis could be on the way, courtesy of the GSEs.