Tag Archives: Washington Mutual

Chase pulls out of Wholesale Lending with Mortgage Brokers

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I just received this memo from Chase:

“Home lending remains an integral part of our firm’s overall financial strategy, and as such, we have a responsibility to our customers, shareholders and employees. Over the last two years, we have diligently reviewed and adjusted our home lending strategy and practices to address the unprecedented challenges of today’s market. Today, we are announcing a strategic shift that we believe will serve our business and our customers well for the long term.

Moving forward, we have decided to focus on loan originations through the Chase bank branches, our Consumer Direct business, and retail-originated loans acquired from Correspondent lenders. Our new strategic direction is supported through the recent merger with Washington Mutual, which increased our bank branch inventory nationwide and enables us to serve nearly 70 percent of the American population.

As a result of our strategic decision, we will no longer accept any new locks and registrations from or purchase any loans originated by brokers effective Friday, January 16, 2009. As a result of these decisions, we are closing our Wholesale business….”

As of this moment, Chase will continue their correspondent relationships (our company is correspondent with Chase) but mortgage brokers just received another punch to the gut.   You can also see how little notice loan originators receive in this type of climate.  

The question is, how many other banks will follow Chase’s shift away from mortgage broker relationships. 

WaMu Endgame

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Surprise: WaMu is looking for a buyer.  From the New York Times:

Goldman Sachs, which Washington Mutual has hired, started the process several days ago, these people said. Among the potential bidders that Goldman has talked to are Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and HSBC. But no buyers may materialize. That could force the government to place Washington Mutual into conservatorship, like IndyMac, or find a bridge-bank solution, which was extended to thrifts in the new housing regulations.

Citigroup is also considering an offer, but would likely be able to buy Washington Mutual only if it emerged from a receivership, according to a person close to the situation. JPMorgan is maintaining its posture that it will not bid unless it receives government support, according to another person briefed on the matter.

I’m not so sure that any bank is in shape to purchase WaMu in its current form. Perhaps it could be broken up into smaller pieces. Its deposit base is probably worth more than anything else on its books right now.

I’m sad. I can remember walking into Washington Mutual Savings in Downtown Everett on the corner of Colby and Pacific with my dad to open up a passbook savings account.  I’ve had an account there just about my whole life.  My daughter’s school savings accounts are there.  I know many people who work at WaMu.  I worked at WaMu as a bank teller many years ago under a very smart, savvy woman named Margaret Bradley who was a very fine role model for a young woman like me in the early 1980s.  Washington Mutual was “The Friend of the Family.”  I bought that old commercial line and repeated it for years.

I know. It’s just a bank.  I’ll get over it. 

There are many WaMu employees that live and work here in the Seattle area who had much of their retirement investments within WaMu’s stock options.  Whatever the outcome, this can’t bode well for our employment numbers here in the greater Seattle area.  I’m under the FDIC limit and will keep my accounts open, and will not be moving them to a new bank. I’ll be seeing this through with them. 

This makes me wonder if it will be easier for homeowners to get their short sales and loan modifications approved. 

Wall St Journal: TPG Move Opens Doors for WaMu

Bloomberg: WaMu’s Biggest Shareholder Waives Compensation Pact

Calculated Risk: WaMu For Sale

Seattle Times: With Stock Sinking, WaMu Appears Headed for Sale

Seattle PI: WaMu Puts Itself up For Sale