Loan modifications played a big part in keeping the FHA program the top provider of Ginnie loans.

The flow of purchase-money and refinance loans into Ginnie Mae MBS slowed in October, but deliveries of modified loans were up. PennyMac remained the top issuer for the month. (Includes two data charts.)

Fannie was the only agency to boost volume last month as new issuance rose 2.1%.

A modest October rebound in deliveries of refinance loans into agency MBS wasn't strong enough to offset a drop in purchase-mortgage business at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. (Includes two data charts.)

Fannie and Freddie pared back their portfolio holdings designated to support future business in the third quarter. Earnings were down from an eight-year high reached in the second quarter. (Includes data chart.)

The Inside Mortgage Finance top-50 tally at Sept. 30: Nonbanks $4.03 trillion of MSRs, depositories $3.83 trillion...

Nonbanks claimed more than half of the owned servicing reported by the top 50 firms in the market as their combined portfolio rose 10% in the second quarter. (Includes three data charts.)

The shift in loan purpose generally had the biggest impact on VA and uninsured volume.

The government-insured market was under more pressure...

Although new originations and loan sales declined from the second quarter, many firms said gain-on-sale margins improved.