Recent Posts
News•Feb 26, 2026
Originations Rise Across Products in Fourth Quarter
Originations across mortgage products climbed in the fourth quarter, marking the first broad‑based increase since early 2023. The rise was driven by strong purchase demand and modest refinance activity despite higher rates. At the same time, banks reported earnings pressure while non‑bank servicers expanded market share through acquisitions. M&A activity continued to consolidate the conventional loan market.
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 24, 2026
Bank Holdings of Residential MBS Seesaw Down in 4Q
Bank holdings of residential mortgage‑backed securities (MBS) fell sharply in the fourth quarter, registering a net outflow of roughly $12.4 billion, the lowest level since early 2021. The decline was uneven, with large banks cutting positions more aggressively than regional lenders,...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 24, 2026
Strong Demand for GSE-Eligible Loans in Non-Agency MBS
Investors are showing strong appetite for GSE‑eligible loans embedded in non‑agency mortgage‑backed securities, tightening spreads and lifting prices across the segment. The surge reflects limited agency supply and the premium investors assign to loans that meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac eligibility...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 24, 2026
Share of Complaints to CFPB Receiving Relief Drops
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported a sharp decline in the share of consumer complaints that receive relief, dropping to 38% in the most recent quarter. Complaint filings rose 12% year‑over‑year, driven largely by mortgage‑related issues. Mortgage lenders now account...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 24, 2026
Better Turns to Stablecoin for Warehouse Funding Alternative
Better.com announced it will use a US‑backed stablecoin to finance its mortgage warehouse line, marking a first for a major U.S. mortgage originator. The company plans to tap USDC on a public blockchain to raise short‑term capital, bypassing traditional bank...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 24, 2026
Short Takes: Home Prices Tick Up / Chase Offering Rate Discount / Bed Bath & Beyond Getting Into Mortgages /...
Home prices edged higher in the latest quarter, while Chase announced a modest rate discount to spur loan demand. Retail giant Bed Bath & Beyond entered the mortgage origination space, signaling non‑traditional players’ interest in housing finance. Bayview Capital began stocking GSE‑eligible loans...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
District Court in Washington Refuses to Block State SPCP
A Washington district court declined to issue an injunction against the State's Secure Property Credit Program (SPCP), allowing the program to continue operating. Plaintiffs argued the SPCP violated federal mortgage regulations, but the court found insufficient evidence of immediate harm....
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Other News in Brief
Bank holdings of residential mortgage‑backed securities dropped in Q4, while investor appetite for GSE‑eligible non‑agency loans surged. The CFPB reported a lower share of complaints receiving relief, and fintech Better turned to stablecoins for warehouse funding. M&A activity is reshaping...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Bank Mortgage-Banking Earnings Slip in Fourth Quarter
Bank mortgage‑banking earnings slipped in the fourth quarter, falling roughly 12% year‑over‑year despite a modest 5% rise in loan volume. Residential mortgage‑backed securities (MBS) holdings saw a sharp decline, while demand for non‑agency, GSE‑eligible loans surged. Banks turned to stablecoin‑based...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Mortgage Investors Expect Early Challenges With New Credit Score Models
Mortgage investors are bracing for short‑term disruption as major credit bureaus roll out next‑generation scoring models that incorporate alternative data and machine‑learning algorithms. The new frameworks promise finer risk granularity but also introduce uncertainty around model validation, regulatory approval, and...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Industry Participants Have Pulte’s Ear in First Year at FHFA
Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that FHFA Director Bill Pulte met with a broad array of industry participants during the first seven months of his tenure. The schedule shows more than 150 engagements with banks,...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Risks Seen in Potential Shift From Tri-Merge Process
Industry analysts warn that moving away from the established tri‑merge securitization framework could introduce significant operational and liquidity risks for mortgage lenders. The tri‑merge process, which bundles GSE‑eligible loans from multiple originators, has underpinned stable funding flows for years. A...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 23, 2026
Short Takes: Expanded-Credit MBS From Redwood / MSRs on Offer / Rate Launches Crypto Option / Sales of New Homes...
Redwood introduced an expanded‑credit mortgage‑backed security, widening the pool of agency‑eligible assets as banks see their residential MBS holdings dip in Q4. Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are now being offered directly, reflecting heightened M&A activity that is reshaping the conventional...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 20, 2026
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Profits Decline in 2025
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported a sharp decline in 2025 net earnings, falling roughly 12% year‑over‑year. The drop coincides with an 8% contraction in bank holdings of agency residential mortgage‑backed securities in Q4 and a reduced share of correspondent...
By Inside Mortgage Finance
News•Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Hill Unimpressed by Trump’s GSE ‘IPO’ Plan
Representative Hill voiced strong skepticism toward President Trump’s proposal to launch an initial public offering of the government‑sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He warned that a rushed IPO could destabilize the secondary mortgage market and raise borrowing costs...
By Inside Mortgage Finance