MBS prices staged a nice turnaround in the fourth quarter but trading volume weakened in December. A stronger-than-anticipated jobs report in early January sent rates northward but not terribly.
Over the years, warehouse finance has been a good business for Texas Capital, but the pain suffered by its nonbank clients over the past year has affected the bank as well. Relief could come when the Fed starts cutting rates.
Three-plus weeks into the new year, a handful of large servicing deals are afoot. Arvest Bank is an active seller and Wells Fargo is contemplating its options as well.
Servicing values slipped in the fourth quarter, a victim of lower interest rates from mid-October to yearend. Hedging helped, but weaker escrow values played a role as well.
The mortgage industry this week lamented the passing of Dave Stevens, who held several key jobs in residential finance, including both regulator and trade group CEO.