Secondary Market

Valuation Vision (V2), a provider of alternative valuation products and tech solutions nationwide, announced the hiring of Brandon Goldstein as managing director of capital markets.

MountainView Servicing Group, provider of residential mortgage servicing rights (MSR) transaction and valuation advisory services, announced the offering of yet another Fannie Mae portfolio. Possessing an unpaid principal balance of just less than $760 million, the portfolio includes 100 percent fixed-rate and first-lien product, with 89.7 percent 30-year fixed-rate loans. In addition, the portfolio contains $464 million-about 61 percent-Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) servicing.

In Chicago, National Tax Search (NTS), a nationwide property tax management services firm, announced the enhancement of its services with the addition of flood zone determinations.

Lehman Brothers has reportedly sought approval to settle a $1.2 billion claim from Freddie Mac on money owed to the GSE before the company declared bankruptcy in 2008. Bloomberg reports Lehman is seeking approval on a settlement in the amount of $767 million. If approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the settlement would untie money Freddie Mac had fought to claim priority on, allowing Lehman to pay other creditors seeking to collect on their own debts from the company.

Marty Reed, VP of business operations at Black Knight Financial Services (BKFS) MLS Solutions division, has been appointed for a three-year term on the board of directors for the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), the company announced.

To help keep up with growing demand for private mortgage insurance, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC) announced the addition of six veteran industry professionals to its sales team.

Caliber Home Loans, Inc., named Jim Foley as regional VP for the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., territories.

If nothing else, Janet Yellen proved on Tuesday she has stamina. The newly installed Federal Reserve chair--the first woman to take the post in the institution's century-long history--sat in front of the House Financial Services Committee for an extended session, fielding dozens of questions on topics ranging from the Fed's current direction to GSE reform. The takeaway from her prepared remarks: Don't expect a great change in policy now that she's at the helm.

A new report from the Office of the Inspector General of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA OIG) finds the GSEs continue to purchase loans with red flags. After being directed to develop a uniform collateral data portal to assist in quality control, FHFA OIG says both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made billions in purchases last year despite warnings from the portal regarding underwriting standards, property valuations, and even the state of appraisers' licenses.

Mortgage Master's Jimmy Yerman is moving up in the world. The super-regional mortgage bank named the 23-year industry veteran as its new mid-Atlantic regional manager.