The Lede

Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities issuance totaled $94.59 billion in 2015, up 6.3 percent compared to 2014, reported Wells Fargo Securities, Charlotte, N.C.

MBA NewsLink recently posed questions to Chuck Rumfola, senior vice president of strategic initiatives with Veros Real Estate Solutions, Santa Ana, Calif.

With mortgage rates all but certain to creep up this year following the Federal Reserve's decision to boost key interest rates, Black Knight Financial Services, Jacksonville, Fla., said the refinance window that's been open for years could start to close.

Fitch Ratings, New York, said home improvement spending is in line for another steady increase this year. 

HousingWire, Jan. 8, 2016--Swanson, Brena Wells Fargo promoted Carmen Bell to senior vice president of Wells Fargo Home Lending Default Servicing, where she will lead teams dedicated to helping customers prevent and resolve delinquencies, oversight of collections, single point-of-contact initiatives, underwriting, short sales and mediations.

Mortgage Professional America, Jan. 8, 2016--da Rosa, Justin The industry may have trained for it but not all training was equal, according to John Gates, president of the Raleigh Mortgage Bankers Association.

Huffington Post, Jan. 7, 2016--Lazar, Michael New reverse mortgage laws are actually making retirement planning more feasible, say the leading experts. When used properly as part of a retirement plan, experts like Jamie Hopkins, associate professor of taxation at The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and co-director of the New York Life Center for Retirement Income, says that they can improve the security of retirees.

Reuters, Jan. 7, 2016--Raymond, Nate A judge has given preliminary approval to a $110 million settlement to resolve an investor lawsuit against Credit Suisse Group AG over toxic mortgage-backed securities issued before the 2008 financial crisis.

DS News, Jan. 6, 2016--Honea, Brian Peter Muriungi has been chosen as JPMorgan Chase's new head of Mortgage Servicing to replace Mike Weinbach, who was named CEO of Chase's Mortgage Banking division in December.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 5, 2016--Stevens, David MBA president and CEO, in letter to Wall Street Journal, said credit-risk transfers conducted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require different approaches that minimize taxpayer risk.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 5, 2015--Glazer, Emily The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. would pay a $48 million civil penalty to end a regulatory order against the bank related to mortgage-servicing matters. EverBank, a Jacksonville, Fla., lender, also is exiting a so-called consent order with the OCC, paying $1 million as a civil money penalty to the bank regulator.

Washington Post, Jan. 6, 2016--Lerner, Michele A new opportunity for home ownership is available to credit-worthy low- to moderate-income borrowers through Fannie Mae's new HomeReady mortgage program.

Miami Today, Jan. 5, 2016--Vianna, Carla The 2010 law has strung banks along a regulatory rollercoaster for five years, paving the way for new agencies and requirements that changed the way the nation's banks operated. This year, more regulations are expected from the five-year-old law.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 11, 2016--Macheel, Tanaya The commercial mortgage-backed securities delinquency rate finished 2015 at a six-year low, said Fitch Ratings.

GlobeSt.com, Jan. 12, 2016--Bubny, Paul Insurers' allocations to commercial mortgages showed a slight increase for the first six months of 2015 compared to year-end 2014, while the delinquency rate among these mortgages is bested only by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to recent figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 11, 2016--Kendall, Brent; Mitchell, Josh The Supreme Court on Monday turned away an appeal that sought to make it easier to erase student loans in bankruptcy, sidestepping an issue that has become a focal point for consumer advocates and lawmakers as millions of borrowers fall behind on their payments.

HousingWire, Jan. 12, 2016--Swanson, Brena The latest update on JPMorgan Chase's RMBS settlement shows it is nearing its $4 billion requirement in credited consumer relief.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 11, 2016--Peters, Andy Walker & Dunlop has agreed to acquire the other half of a commercial mortgage-backed securities joint venture it has with Fortress Investment Group.