Banks left lending standards unchanged for most residential mortgages in the third quarter of 2019, even as demand rose significantly. Underwriting for commercial real estate loans stiffened.

In a recent filing, Fannie Mae made clear its displeasure with the pay caps placed on the company by the FHFA and Congress. Interestingly, Freddie Mac had a more muted response.

The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points this week, assuring mortgage lenders strong operating conditions in the months ahead. Still, the production outlook is a bit darker for 2020.

Flagstar increased its servicing portfolio by about 50% on an annual basis as of the end of September while no other bank servicer in the top 20 posted double digit gains.

Government-insured reverse mortgage programs should offer simple and streamlined products in order to become more attractive to elder borrowers, according to the Brookings Institution.

The conditions that prompt a cash-out refi differ from those that drive a rate/term refi, research published by the Philadelphia Fed shows.

Nonbanks dominate in residential lending nowadays but at least in multifamily finance they have a bit of girth. The analysis is based on 2018 HMDA data. (Includes data chart.)

The number of loan origination systems used by mortgage lenders has declined from 33 to 21 in the last four years, a Stratmor study finds.

In January, the origination forecast for 2019 looked bleak but that was before rates began their relentless descent. Today? Optimism abounds with several shops reporting strong lending results for 3Q19.

Banks began reporting third quarter results this week and, as might be expected, negative servicing marks were quite noticeable.