CoreLogic├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós international operations are making news in India, with the announcement that Cognizant will buy CoreLogic Global Services Pvt. Ltd. for a reported $50 million. The acquisition of CoreLogic Global, better known as CoreLogic India, will likely make Cognizant the third largest information technology services entity in the country, ousting Wipro Ltd. Lenders using the new program will benefit from a high level of customization, including the ability to tailor the alert system.
Read More »Housing Markets Mixed as Debt Talks Splinter
As splintering debt-ceiling negotiations unnerved analysts and ratings agencies, Treasury yields and mortgage rates remained relatively stable over the weekend, reflecting a widespread consensus among investors and market watchers that partisan divisions would soon give way to a grand bargain between policymakers. CNN reported Sunday that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) refused to agree to a set of conditions at the White House, ending dramatic four-month-long negotiations.
Read More »Fannie Forecasts Declines Over 2011, 2012
Fannie Mae released a July economic outlook Friday tying a slowdown in the economy at large to a sluggish pace in the housing sector a consequence of tight credit, a dearth in existing-home sales, and weak gains across important industries. The mortgage giant predicted a dip in growth over the rest of the year, falling from 2.8 percent to 2.4 percent. Besides restrained credit expansion, the tepid housing recovery is another reason for the modest pace of economic growth seen in the current recovery, Fannie said in the report.
Read More »American Land Title CEO Takes Leave
In a statement released Monday, the American Land Title Association announced the departure of CEO Kurt Pfotenhaur, who plans to take over as EVP and vice chairman at the publically traded First American Title Insurance Company. Pfotenhaur arrives at First American with over 26 years of experience in politics and the financial services industry. As CEO of Washington, D.C.-based ALTA, he frequently rubbed elbows with senior contacts at the White House and Congress.
Read More »Companies, Industry Groups Continue QRM Rule Fight
Real estate and relocation servicers provider Realogy Corporation became the latest in a string of companies to file critical commentary with regulatory authorities overseeing the Qualified Residential Mortgage rule, the embattled proposal that industry groups say would crimp housing by forcing homebuyers to front 20 percent in down payments. Realogy joins a host of other critics, including the Coalition for Sensible Housing Policy, 320 members of Congress, and some 44 private organizations.
Read More »Mortgage Numbers Up for Fifth Third
Fifth Third Bancorp had a great spring season, judging by the company├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós scorching second quarter numbers. The bank estimates its quarterly results were the best on record since 2007, and the dramatic, 58 percent increase in mortgage banking revenue between the first and second quarters of this year contributed heavily to the company├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós recent success. Total net income during Fifth Third's second quarter was $337 million, demonstrating a significant rise quarter-over-quarter.
Read More »BancTec Boasts New Platform
BancTec has rolled out an advanced mortgage servicing platform, geared toward new and existing lenders in need of accelerated and streamlined customer support, with considerable advantages for new users.
Read More »NMLS: 15,000 New Origination Branches Nationwide
On Tuesday the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System released a report detailing the registration of some hundred-thousand loan originators and over 15,000 new branches, with California and Texas accounting for the most.
Read More »CFPB Proposes First Rule
Signaling that it means business, the newly opened Consumer Financial Protection Bureau undertook its first major stab at the rule-making process by issuing a proposed rule that would shift alternate mortgage origination from the state to federal level nationwide. The rule applies to Regulation D under the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Party Act. If enacted, it would enact a Dodd-Frank provision by allowing state-licensed mortgage originators to make alternative loans even states with laws that prohibit such loans.
Read More »Homebuyers Chase Jumbo Loans as Limits Near Expiration
Recent news reports show homebuyers flocking to high-end properties to close rates for jumbo loan mortgages, even as Congress wavers on a proposed bill that would cement higher thresholds for federally insured mortgages.
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