Tag Archives: Origination Points

Origination fees can present a web of inconsistencies, and Yatin Karnik of Confer Inc. asks if its time to “democratize” the lending process.

Profits on mortgage loan originations declined while the cost of originating a mortgage loan increased over the second quarter of this year.

Mortgage closing costs are up 6 percent over the past year, according to a report from Bankrate.com. The average closing cost across the United States rose over the year to $2,402. Origination fees increased 8 percent to $1,730--accounting for the bulk of the increase in closing costs--while third-party fees rose 1 percent to $672. In terms of highest average closing costs, Hawaii took the top spot with an average of $2,919. It was joined in the top five by Alaska, South Carolina, California, and New Mexico.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported an increase in its measure of average mortgage interest rates for February.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced more new rules designed to shape up origination practices and compensation.

Mortgage applications continue to perk up after ending 2012 on a low note, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) latest Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. The Market Composite Index, a measure of application volume, increased 15.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in the week ending January 11. On an unadjusted basis, the index was up 45 percent from the prior week. Purchase activity continued strong, with the Purchase Index rising 13 percent to its highest level since April 2011.

Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed average fixed mortgage rates finding yet another record low. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.56 percent (0.7 point) this week, down from 3.62 percent the previous week. At the same time last year, the 30-year loan averaged 4.51 percent. This week marks the fourth month that the 30-year average has stayed below 4 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also fell, averaging 2.86 percent (0.7 point), a drop from 2.89 percent last week. A year ago, the 15-year fixed averaged 3.65 percent.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Quicken Loans, Inc., Thursday, in a case that bars lenders from splitting settlement fees with third parties. The decision upholds an interpretation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act that gives lenders leeway when it comes to charging fees. It rejects a longstanding HUD policy that interpreted the law to include a flat ban on unearned fees. Much of the contention surrounded previous guidance issued by HUD supporting the view that the legal framework prohibits lenders from charging unearned fees.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled new rulemaking proposals Thursday that would require background checks for mortgage originators and complement a previous rule that prohibits loan officers from steering borrowers to higher-priced products. Together with these rules, others would provide consumers with discounts for paying mortgage origination points, mandate comparison plans for those interested in tracking different products, and ban brokerage firms from charging fees that vary by the loan size.