Revised accounting standards for credit losses; troubles mount at Blend; MISMO updates iLAD, considers eNote standards for commercial market; MBA redesigns website, highlighting reduced content.

Mortgage bankers far and wide are trimming employees as interest rates continue to rise and refinance wane. But industry employment figures look benign. How can that be?

With interest rates starting to rise, production income took a hit in the fourth quarter of 2021. While servicing income increased, the mortgage business was less profitable. (Includes data chart.)

Are mortgage servicing rights still a safe bet to buy? Looks that way, especially if mortgage rates keep heading north.

Only a quarter of mortgage lenders say they’re familiar with blockchain or its potential use in housing finance.

Millennials who remain thwarted from purchasing primary residences in expensive urban markets are turning to vacation homes to build home equity. Meanwhile, signs point to an overall slowdown in demand for such properties.

The share of mortgages closed with hybrid tech is declining. Still, analysts suggest that lenders would be wise to digitize their closings before volume drops are fully realized.

Millennials make up the largest generation of first-time homebuyers, but they face affordability challenges, according to recent industry reports.

Negative outlook for margins; number of foreclosure starts declined in February; MBA launches affordability index; MISMO seeks participants and input on new initiatives.

Banks and thrifts reported a 10.6% sequential increase in the volume of mortgages they repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2021. But for the full year, buybacks trended down. (Includes data chart.)