In the reps and warranties case including MBIA and Bank of America, a judge has increased the chances for a settlement by ruling that Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan must testify.  I think it is in both companies interest to settle this case as MBIA needs the cash flow, and Bank of America needs...Read More

This article outlines the fact that U.S. banks earnings might be down slightly from the first quarter of 2011.  While this may be true is should be a pretty strong quarter overall and it should augur for further growth for the large banks.  Costs are still elevated from the mortgage problems and net interest margins...Read More

Mortgage servicing problems and mortgage fraud have had a dramatic change in the industry.  The automated machinery to approve as many loans as possible on the basis that the collateral will keep the issuers protected is over after the huge declines that we have seen in housing prices.  While changes had to be made in...Read More

Today Lennar reported revenue numbers that were quite strong.  This report seems to be quite different than what KB Homes reported last week, which is exactly what KB’s management discussed last week by saying that most of their problems were internal, or were the result of their mortgage affiliates struggles to get deals done.  Lennar...Read More

KB Home (KBH) reported disappointing earnings last week.  The company attributed much of the blame to buyers struggling to get mortgages.  While I do think KBH is actually one of the more reasonably priced home builder’s,  I don’t think that this industry is the best way to play the rebound in housing.  The reason for...Read More