Help With Rising FHA Activity
The volume of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration has spiked this year, new data indicate. Two firms are helping mortgage companies that are struggling to understand and comply with recent changes to the FHA program while trying to keep up with increased activity.

Impaired Loan Secondary Market Expands
The market for impaired mortgages continues to grow as investors and servicers see opportunity to bring defaulted loans into a re-performing status. Other secondary marketing activity includes the development of warehouse lines for home-equity conversion mortgages.

Government Originations to Double
As rates rise and conventional originations slide, government mortgage originations are projected to more than double.

Reverse Lender Seeing Success
The company that claims to be the biggest privately held reverse mortgage originator sees more hiring ahead.

Firms Fined More Than $300k Over Ads
A mortgage broker and a rapidly growing FHA lender operating in Washington have agreed to pay fines totaling more than $300,000 over allegations of false advertising. The move is the latest in the state's crackdown on mortgage lending activity.

Bankrupt Branch Operation Dumps Wholesale
A California-based company has eliminated its wholesale operation, converted from a mortgage banker to a mortgage broker and eliminated more than 70 branches. It hopes to emerge from bankruptcy with a new reverse mortgage strategy.

Best Mortgage Broker
The group representing U.S. mortgage brokers has identified a VA broker as the country's best mortgage broker. Two commercial mortgage wholesalers were also recognized.

HUD Touts Foreclosures Prevented
Loan production under the FHASecure program continues to grow, with around 130,000 loans refinanced during the past three months.

Legislation Aims to Bring DPA Back
Just as seller-funded downpayment assistance appeared to be on its way out the door, new legislation has been introduced to bring it back.