The online lender, which raised $240 million, wants to take its artificial intelligence technology for evaluating borrowers to the next level and expand its partnerships with banks, its CEO says.

The company expects a good year ahead for mortgage insurers, assuming that rising employment, higher home prices and payment timing deferrals will help them to mitigate risk.

Deals, trends and research in structured finance and asset-backed securities for the week of Dec. 11-17

The agency's rule outlines steps collectors must take to inform consumers about an outstanding debt, and prohibits companies from pursuing lawsuits after a statute of limitations has ended.

With infection rates rising and unemployment claims increasing since Thanksgiving, mortgages in coronavirus-related forbearance rose by 37,000 last week, according to Black Knight.

The Federal Reserve has already agreed to shut down emergency credit programs funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, but Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and others want Congress to ensure the central bank cannot revive them.

The proposal builds on guidance the agency gave to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac earlier this year.

The percentage of seriously delinquent loans hit 5.8% in the third quarter, up from 1.5% a year earlier but down from 6.8% in the second quarter.

The deadline for inclusion in Ginnie mortgage-backed securities has been extended and an exception will be made for some participations.

Downgrades applied to deals sponsored by Carlyle Aviation and Avolon Aerospace reflect the continued deterioration of airline credit quality and aircraft values afflicting nearly all issuers, the ratings agency reported.

The $425 million loan securitization is among two single-asset, commercial-mortgage deals launching this week. Brookfield Asset Management's global real estate arm is also tapping investors to finance an $825 million loan backed by a downtown Manhattan office building.

With coronavirus inoculations underway and government stimulus likely to come, the outlook for next year’s housing market and lending environment grew more optimistic in December.