The five largest bank servicers — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Ally Financial /GMAC — today announced a $25 billion settlement with 49 state attorneys general (except Oklahoma), the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Many financial analysts believe that the recent Federal Reserve data highlights the return of U.S. consumer borrowing.

The government-owned Ally Financial has issued an offering book on Residential Capital Corp. in the hope that it can finally unload its money-losing mortgage division and take the rest of the company public, according to investment bankers familiar with the matter.

Sales of commercial real estate loans that are in receivership have surged in the aftermath of CMBS defaults.

Mortgage lenders issued $30 billion of Ginnie Mae MBS in January, up 9% from the previous month, according to new figures released Thursday morning.

European securitizations have managed to show substantial muscle against a challenging economic environment, according to a Fitch Ratings report.

State and federal authorities held a press conference Thursday to announce a $25 billion settlement with the five largest mortgage servicers, and provided key details on how the money was being distributed and the amounts each institution is expected to pay.

Bank of America Corp. is limiting the number of refinance applications it accepts over the phone, telling borrowers who do not have an existing relationship with the bank that they may have to wait 60 to 90 days before their loan application can be processed, a BofA spokesman said Wednesday.

Freddie Mac reported 30-year fixed mortgage rates were unchanged at its record low 3.87% for the week ending Feb. 9.

Allonhill Forms Client Service Management TeamGroup to be voice of client within CompanyDENVER (February 8, 2012) - Allonhill, an independent third-party review firm specializing in mortgage due diligence and credit risk management, today announced the formation of a new Client Service Management Team.The team will serve as the primary liaison between Allonhill’s internal and external clients, with a focus on driving overall client satisfaction and mutual success. Allonhill’s key clients will be assigned a dedicated Client Service Manager who will act as the voice of the client within Allonhill, responsible for communicating system, operational, and logistical needs to the appropriate parties.“Client satisfaction has always been a priority at Allonhill” said Allonhill CEO and founder Sue Allon, “I’m pleased to make official what so many members of our team have been doing since Allonhill’s inception.”The team will be led by Nicole Avey, who developed a similar group at Wells Fargo Home Loans. Avey joined Allonhill in mid-2011 as Managing Director of Sales. She has over 20 years of experience in national sales management and business development, primarily in the financial services industry including Norwest, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Her background also includes audit work for Deloitte and Touche and business development support for TeleTech and Agilent Technologies. Avey recently served as a Senior Account Executive at Bank of America Home Loans and was responsible for regional correspondent sales and client relationship management. Avey holds a BS from the University of Nebraska.Third-party review firm Allonhill has formed a new client service management team, which will serve as the primary liaison between Allonhill’s internal and external clients.The firm's key clients will be assigned a dedicated client service manager who will act as the voice of the client within Allonhill, responsible for communicating system, operational, and logistical needs to the appropriate parties.The team will be led by Nicole Avey, who developed a similar group at Wells Fargo Home Loans.Avey joined Allonhill in mid last year as managing director of sales. She has more than 20 years of experience in national sales management and business development, mainly on the financial services industry such as Norwest, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.She has also done audit work for Deloitte and Touche and business development support for TeleTech and Agilent Technologies.Avey was recently senior account executive at Bank of America Home Loans and was responsible for regional correspondent sales and client relationship management.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris is expected to join a multi-state settlement with the top five mortgage servicers and New York's AG could soon follow, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Bank of America is out in the marketplace with a roughly $35 billion portfolio of residential mortgage servicing rights through Phoenix Capital, Denver, according to investors and investment bankers who have been briefed on the sale.