Many top agency MSR investors saw big gains in their portfolios during the second quarter, thanks to one of the busiest secondary markets in recent memory. (Includes two data charts.) Read More

All quiet on the mortgage M&A front? Select deals are getting done. One recent buyer: Bill Lowman’s American Pacific Mortgage. Read More

A year ago, most mortgage workers could name their price and be compensated at levels never experienced before. And today? It’s a whole different world, with lenders lopping off hundreds, if not thousands of jobs. Read More

Former employees of the shuttered mortgage lender claim Sprout didn’t provide the required notice of termination and was holding back regular wages. Read More

The ratings outlook for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and two of the FHLBanks have been upgraded from negative to stable, reflecting strong economic growth and heightened government support. Read More

The American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators’ best practices highlight issues state regulators should consider when approving a permanent work-from-home option for LOs employed by nonbanks. Read More

FHA has extended appraisal validity periods, in some cases up to a year, to align more closely with standards at the GSEs and VA. Read More

The new guidance applies to salaried and hourly wage earners as well as self-employed individuals. Read More

There’s not much left at non-agency lender Sprout Mortgage but there are plenty of rumors, none of them good. Meanwhile, mortgage fintech Better.com has been adding senior managers. Read More