Researchers at the American Enterprise Institute's (AEI) International Center on Housing Risk estimate that Americans buying their first home made up about 50 percent of December's purchase mortgage market, up slightly from November.

RE/MAX reported Monday that home sales activity jumped 14.4 percent nationally month-over-month December, a sharp reversal from November's 22.5 percent drop. Compared to the same month in 2013, December sales were up 3.9 percent, making it one of only a handful of months in 2014 to see transactions improve on a yearly basis.

Altisource Portfolio Solution's executive team saw a new addition this week, with industry veteran John Vella stepping into the newly created role of chief revenue officer.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index dropped to 57 in January, NAHB reported Tuesday morning. December's index was revised upward to 58, reflecting no change from the month before.

Monthly data released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac together reported 134,582 refinances in November 2014, down from nearly 139,000 in October. As overall refinancing fell, so too did the number of mortgages refinanced under the Obama administration's Home Affordable Refinance Program.

The closure, announced jointly by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and FDIC, comes after years of increased scrutiny from regulators. OCC first filed a consent order against the Crestview bank in 2010, demanding operational changes after it uncovered what the agency called "unsafe and unsound banking practices."

Credit Plus, a Maryland-based mortgage information provider, is now offering instant, electronic Verifications of Deposits and Assets (VODAs) through AccountChek.

In a conference call with investors, CFO Michelle Esterman said the layoffs reflect the company's need to realign its expenses as Ocwen Financial Corp.—Altisource's biggest customer since it spun off in 2009—faces roadblocks to its own growth.

Shares of Altisource Portfolio Solutions picked up on Friday as the company's leadership assured shareholders about its near-term future after a year of setbacks.

Mortgage sales leader Chad Smith has joined loanDepot, taking charge as EVP of production in direct lending, the company announced.