Corporate finance

Continued diversification of its business lines and better margins in its securitization activities helped Redwood Trust overcome steep mortgage origination declines and post nearly 14% annual growth in net income during the third quarter.

The San Francisco company, which has racked up big losses over the last two and a half years, signaled Tuesday that it is on a path to profitability after resolving a series of longstanding regulatory problems.

The New York-based online lender plans to spend an additional $15 million next year, largely on bank partnerships and international expansion.

The unique approach Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are each taking with their credit-risk transfer products is quickly becoming a key point of differentiation that's rekindling competition between the government-sponsored enterprises.

When the mortgage giant will be released from government control is anyone's guess, but the company's third-quarter report shows signs of an easier transition.

Citigroup spent years reeling in customers with promotional rates, many of which have expired or soon will. The bank thinks it can keep a large number of those customers and make more money off of them.

First Foundation sold loans to Freddie Mac to free up space for higher-yielding credits. It then bought the securities that were formed to replace other, lower-yielding assets through an often overlooked program.

It bothered Jeannie Tarkenton, founder of Funding University, that too many kids from lower-income families didn't graduate because they lacked just a few thousand dollars and couldn't get a loan.

The marketplace lender recorded an impairment charge tied to the acquisition of a specialty lending business and is still being hit with costs stemming from the scandal that toppled its previous CEO.

The OCC has simplified language detailing how fintech charter applicants will clear requirements for meeting community needs. The move has some consumer groups worried.