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4Q19 Retail Credit Profile Mostly Stronger than TPO

A large concentration of refinance loans meant that retail mortgages sold to the agencies had higher credit scores — along with lower LTV and DTI ratios — than did third-party originations. Seller profiles were shaped by their channel strategies. (Includes two data charts.) Read More

Private MI Volume Surges in 4Q19 with Agency Refi Wave

Sales to Fannie and Freddie of refinance loans with private MI coverage rose 61.8% from the third to the fourth quarter last year. But the VA program remained the most refi-intensive sector. Read More

BlackRock Moves Large Stake in PennyMac to Charities

BlackRock transferred $589 million of stock in PennyMac Financial Services, accounting for a 20% stake in the lender, to two of its affiliated charitable entities. BlackRock initially invested $34 million in PennyMac in 2008. Read More

Road Blocks Aplenty When It Comes to Mortgage M&A

Freedom Mortgage’s planned acquisition of RoundPoint Mortgage Servicing is the latest example of delays in merger and acquisition deals. Factors delaying transactions include approvals from Ginnie and state regulators. Read More

Homeownership Rate Rises in 2019, Home Price Appreciation Steady

The homeownership rate hit a six-year high at the end of last year, with low interest rates helping homebuyers even as prices increased at a steady pace. Low inventory of homes for sale could lead to affordability issues this year. Read More

Economists Say Mortgage Discrimination is Overblown

Federal Reserve economists found that black and Hispanic borrowers ended up with mortgage rates 2 to 3 bps higher than those of white borrowers. But they also found that these minority borrowers paid fewer points, offsetting the difference in interest rates. Read More

Low Savings, High Debt Hits Millennials’ Homeownership

A new survey finds millennials’ path to homeownership strewn with such obstacles as debt, little to no savings and unaffordable home prices. But this age cohort is willing to do anything to own a home. Read More

Inside Mortgage Trends

February 14, 2020

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4Q19 Retail Credit Profile Mostly Stronger than TPO

Private MI Volume Surges in 4Q19 with Agency Refi Wave

BlackRock Moves Large Stake in PennyMac to Charities

Road Blocks Aplenty When It Comes to Mortgage M&A

Homeownership Rate Rises in 2019, Home Price Appreciation Steady

Economists Say Mortgage Discrimination is Overblown

Low Savings, High Debt Hits Millennials’ Homeownership

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Fed to Propose Capital Changes for Banks, Mortgages

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Featured Poll

As homeowner equity continues to build, more and more lenders are launching home equity lending products. Are you thinking of joining this market?

Inside Mortgage Trends

February 14, 2020

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As homeowner equity continues to build, more and more lenders are launching home equity lending products. Are you thinking of joining this market?