Most lenders reported significant improvement in servicing profitability that was driven by MSR markups. But results varied greatly on the production side, where lenders that rely on TPO channels fared much better. (Includes data tables.)

Hispanics accounted for 35% of U.S. homeownership growth last year, the largest share of any racial or ethnic group, according to a new report from the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

The decline in retail origination at banks and thrifts came even as overall originations increased slightly from the third to the fourth quarter. (Includes two data tables.)

Better is touting investments in artificial intelligence to help slash costs tied to originating refis. The lender is also building a distributed retail operation to increase production of purchase mortgages.

Many potential homebuyers remain unaware that a mortgage can be obtained without providing a 20% downpayment.

Among servicers assessed by Fitch, Chase has one of the highest ratings.

MBA increases odds of a recession within next 12 months; new tools to verify employment, income; downpayment size increases in 2024; new proposals from MISMO; lender raises funds; Cardinal offers processing for brokers; new hire at Nationwide Mortgage Bankers.

After achieving profitability in the third quarter, loanDepot returned to the red in the fourth quarter. And the CEO brought on to turn the nonbank’s fortunes around three years ago is departing, with company founder Anthony Hsieh taking a larger role.

With bids for MSRs remaining strong, Guild Mortgage sharply reduced the share of its mortgages originated with servicing retained in 2024.

For the full year, though, total bank repurchases declined to $1.02 billion, down 23.8% from 2023. (Includes data table.)