Zillow Group earlier this month agreed to acquire Mortgage Lenders of America, a national residential originator based in Overland Park, KS. Shortly after the announcement was made, Zillow’s share price crumbled, suggesting that investors aren’t bullish on the mortgage business these days.
The top five sellers of bulk agency product during the first-half of 2018 were Stearns Lending, Flagstar Bank, Seneca Mortgage, United Shore Financial (parent of United Wholesale Mortgage), and loanDepot.
In early July, the REIT closed on its previously announced $190 million purchase of Shellpoint Partners, an acquisition that includes mortgage banking firm New Penn Financial.