NEW ORLEANS–In the face of a difficult business climate, the Mortgage Bankers Association is fighting for Independent Mortgage Bankers every day to ensure they can deliver for borrowers, MBA President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB, said here at MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers conference.

Intercontinental Exchange Inc., Atlanta, released its “first look” at mortgage performance data for December, noting that at 24,000, foreclosure starts marked an 18-month low in new activity. Total active foreclosures are the lowest since March 2022, and 25% below pre-pandemic levels.

NEW ORLEANS–It’s important to solve problems together as an industry, Freddie Mac Vice President of Single-Family Client Engagement Kevin Kauffman said here at MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference.

NEW ORLEANS–Tim McCallum, senior vice president and head of single-family business account management at Fannie Mae, sees more optimism in the market today than in recent months.

We knew it was coming—eventually. After 11 rate hikes starting in March 2022, the Fed in December 2023 signaled its intentions to lower rates through 2024. With mortgage rates already dropping, virtually everyone that bought a home in the last 18 months will benefit from a refinancing conversation with their lender.

FundingShield, Newport Beach, Calif., reported wire and title fraud risk reached a high of 51.8% of loans on a $61 billion portfolio having at least one risk issue in the fourth quarter.

Fitch Ratings, New York, said delinquencies for non-QM 2023-vintage RMBS transactions are higher than the 2022 vintage, reflection weaker collateral attributes.