Richey May Acquires Two IT Consulting Firms
In a move that will allow it to offer a more robust spectrum of IT consulting services for its financial services clients, accounting and...
FirstClose Hires Pat Downing as CTO
Pat Downing has joined FirstClose, a provider of mortgage technology solutions with a focus on mortgage settlement services, as chief technical officer (CTO).
Downing has...
Mortgage Application Volume Flattens
Mortgage application volume was flat during the week ended Sept. 28, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.
Applications for refinances decreased...
Better Mortgage Opens New Office in Irvine, California
Direct mortgage lender Better Mortgage, now serving 19 states, reports that it has opened a new office in Irvine, Calif., that will be home to 50 newly-hired underwriters, processors and closers.
“We...
Ross Mortgage Rolls Out Four New Loan Products to Give Borrowers More Options
Ross Mortgage Corp., a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Troy, Mich., recently added four new specialty loan options, including a one-time close construction loan that provides an...
FHA to Require Second Appraisals For HECMs Where Valuation is Suspect
In an effort to stem further losses to its Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is now requiring mortgage lenders...
How to Retain and Engage Valuable Mortgage Staff
BLOG VIEW: As with any organization, lenders understand that managing and retaining talented employees is important for their long-term success. Mortgage lenders are facing...
Mortgage Network Opens New Branch in Southern New Jersey
Independent mortgage lender Mortgage Network recently opened a new branch in Wall, N.J.
The new branch will be managed by Michael Martone, a 25-year mortgage industry veteran and former...
OpenClose Hires Mark Michel as Software Integration Analyst
Mark Michel recently joined mortgage fintech provider OpenClose as a software integration analyst.
Michel has more than 15 years of experience as a subject matter expert...
Mortgage Rates Hit Highest Level in Seven Years
Mortgage rates increased for a fourth straight week to reach the highest level in seven years, as the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate...
Freddie Mac: Lack of Inventory, Affordability, Will Continue to Plague Home Sales
Due to lack of inventory and rising home prices, U.S. home sales (new and existing) are expected to decrease 0.9% this year to 6.07...
Mortgage Network Hires Four More Loan Officers
Mortgage Network recently announced four new hires.
Marc Walz has joined the company as a loan officer in its Providence, R.I., branch; Luke Ostrowski has...
Citing Strong Job Market and Improving Economy, Fed Hikes
As was expected, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates by 0.25%, bringing the target range for the federal funds rate to 2.0%...
New Home Sales Increased in August After Two Months of Declines
New home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of about 629,000 in August, an increase of 3.5% compared with a revised rate...
Despite Rising Rates, Mortgage Applications Jumped 2.9%
Despite the fact that the average rate for a 30-year mortgage rose to its highest level since April 2011, mortgage application volume increased 2.9%...
Deephaven Mortgage Launching New Non-QM Underwriting Tool Using LoanScorecard
Deephaven Mortgage, a provider of private-capital liquidity for non-QM residential mortgage loans, is using LoanScorecard to help power its new new IDENTI-FI automated underwriting...
What’s The Net Tangible Benefit Test?
BLOG VIEW: The net tangible benefit test asks a tough question: Should borrowers be allowed to refinance even when it’s not in their best...
Refinance Share of Mortgage Origination Volume Increased in August
The refinance share of mortgage volume increased to 32% in August, up from 29% in July, as rates stabilized, according to Ellie Mae’s Origination...
Fiserv Lending Solutions is Now Sagent Lending Technologies
Fiserv Lending Solutions is rebranding to Sagent Lending Technologies.
The name change follows news in February that private equity firm Warburg Pincus was acquiring a...
Mortgage Rates Move Up For Fourth Straight Week
Mortgage rates continued to move upward during the week ended Sept. 20, with the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rising to...