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In 2014, more than $120 billion worth of HELOCs were originated, which is a 21.5 percent year-over-year increase. In addition, more than 1.2 million new HELOCs were opened in 2014, a 15.8 percent increase from the year before. These represent six year highs for HELOC originations.

Average production volume was $417 million per company in the fourth quarter of 2014, down from $437 million per company in the third quarter of 2014, but up from $367 million per company in the fourth quarter of 2013. The volume by count per company averaged 1,769 loans in the fourth quarter of 2014, down from 1,901 loans in the third quarter of 2014 but up from 1,641 loans in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The toolkit was developed as a part of the CFPB’s “Know Before You Owe” mortgage initiative and helps consumers take full advantage of the new Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms that lenders are required to begin providing in August.

Both the 10-City and 20-City composites saw gains in January compared to December. The 10-City composite gained 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 percent seen in December. Data released today for January 2015 show that home prices continued their rise across the country over the last 12 months. However, monthly data reveal slowing increases and seasonal weakness.

Bank of America began installing automated teller machines with video screens two years ago and began testing screens in some of its branches three years ago. The bank’s use of video to interact with customers is in contrast to some of its big-bank peers, who are taking a wait-and-see approach to the technology.

In his speech, President Obama spoke of the important role the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has played in helping the U.S. recover from the financial crisis. However, according to Councilman, in an effort to praise the CFPB, the president signaled out mortgage brokers as “unscrupulous.”

According to MountainView's announcement, features of the bulk servicing rights portfolio include 100 percent fixed-rate and first lien product, a weighted average original FICO score of 763, a weighted average original LTV ratio of 75 percent, a weighted average interest rate of 3.82 percent, and low delinquencies. The portfolio contains no loans that are more than 90 days late; only 0.41 percent of the loans in the portfolio are between 30 and 59 days delinquent, and only 0.5 percent of the loans are between 60 and 89 days delinquent, according to MountainView.

The Pending Home Sales Index rose 3.1 percent to 106.9 in February from a slight downward revision of 103.7 in January and is 12 percent about the February 2014 number of 95.4. The index is at its highest level since June 2013 and has increased year-over-year for six consecutive months and is above 100, considered an average level of activity, for the tenth consecutive month.

Affordability is worst in fast growing cities that have fallen behind in building homes to keep up with population growth. Currently the average U.S. homebuyer can expect to spend 15.3 percent of their monthly income on a mortgage payment.

U.S. home prices had a slight 0.1 percent increase from December 2014 to January 2015. However, prices are up over 20 percent from 2012, but still down 10 percent from the 2006 peak. The current national home price value is $241,000.