Mortgage originations are already off to a better start in 2015, and industry economists are predicting, on average, a 15 percent increase from last year’s sluggish output. But uncertain prospects in the housing market point toward a decline in mortgage originations next year, according to forecasters at the secondary market conference sponsored this week by the Mortgage Bankers Association. 2015 should bring the strongest housing sales volume since 2007, said Leonard Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac. Sales activity was decent over the winter, despite severe weather in many areas, but the market has yet to get back to normal. Freddie looks...[Includes one data table]

A company spokesman confirmed the departure to IMFnews, noting that O’Brien is leaving after a 40-plus career.

Who might replace Lawsky? How about: Rohit Chopra, assistant director and student loan ombudsman for another agency that’s highly popular with mortgage executives: the CFPB.

Investors have been unhappy with Nationstar’s stock performance the past year and want a clearer picture of where the firm is headed.

Among those nonbanks not losing too much sleep over the FHFA proposal is Nationstar Mortgage.

Jay Bray, Nationstar’s current CEO, will assume the role of president effective June 1.

Although the FHA has been losing ground for several years to the private MIs, the program saw a surge in refis in March...

In a recent 10-K filing Ocwen disclosed that on April 30, 2015 it announced agreements with the GSEs to sell portfolios of non-performing loan servicing rights.

Watt said GSE pay should be brought more in line with comparable private sector jobs, but no higher than what CEOs in the 25th percentile of the market make, which is roughly $7.26 million a year.

Financial consultant Paul Hindman, however, is concerned about such bonuses...