Despite annual declines already reported by several of the nation’s biggest mortgage originators, Caliber Home Loans Inc. experienced an increase. Servicing has also expanded.
As part of the Mortgage Daily Fourth Quarter 2017 Mortgage Origination Survey, Caliber reported that it serviced 526,455 loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $121.317 billion.
The Irving, Texas-based mortgage banking firm’s servicing portfolio expanded from 498,030 loans for $114.202 billion three months earlier and 403,751 loans for $91.065 billion one year earlier.
Last month’s portfolio included $119.253 billion in mortgages serviced for third parties.
During the final three months of last year, 44,492 loans were closed for $12.169 billion. Business was little changed from 45,832 loans for $12.494 billion in the third quarter.
In the fourth-quarter 2016, production totaled 46,715 loans for $12.084 billion.
The latest quarterly production included
$4.739 billion in retail production, $3.923 billion in wholesale lending and $3.507 billion in correspondent acquisitions.
For all of last year, Caliber originated 163,794 loans for $43.683 billion. Annual activity
ascended from 156,959 mortgages funded for $40.333 billion during 2016.
The year-over-year improvement contrasts that of several large banks that have so far reported fourth-quarter mortgage originations — all of which have reported declines.
Staffing finished 2017 at 6,133 employees, down
180 from Sept. 30. Still, headcount has grown by 163 people from year-end 2016.