Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

13. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, a three-tiered fair value hierarchy has been established based on the level of observable inputs used in the measurement of fair value (e.g., Level 1 representing quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market; Level 2 representing values using observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1; and Level 3 representing estimated values based on significant unobservable inputs).

There have been no significant changes to the valuation techniques and inputs used by the Company in estimating fair values of Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, with the exception of the following:

Mortgage Servicing Rights – Fair Value (Level 3) – The Company estimates the fair value of its forward MSRs on a recurring basis using a process that combines the use of a discounted cash flow model and analysis of current market data to arrive at an estimate of fair value. The cash flow assumptions and prepayment assumptions used in the model are based on a discounted cash flow model which incorporates prepayment speeds, delinquencies, discount rate, ancillary revenues, float earnings and other assumptions (including costs to service, recapture rates and forbearance rates), with the key assumptions being mortgage prepayment speeds, discount rates, and cost to service. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company refined its estimate of the fair value of forward MSRs by incorporating an estimate of future cash flows from loans that are expected to be recaptured. The estimate of future cash flows related to recapture is consistent with recent pricing observed from various market participants, including the Company’s independent third-party valuation firms. As a result of considering the recapture rate, the Company adjusted its discount rate assumption in order to ensure that the fair value of forward MSRs remains consistent with current market participant pricing and is reflective of an exit price. The estimated fair value was also corroborated with valuations provided by independent third parties. The net impact on the overall forward MSRs fair value was not significant during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. These assumptions are generated and applied based on collateral stratifications including product type, remittance type, geography, delinquency and coupon dispersion. These assumptions require the use of judgment by the Company and can have a significant impact on the fair value of the MSRs. Quarterly, management obtains third-party valuations to assess the reasonableness of the fair value calculations provided by the internal cash flow model. Because of the nature of the valuation inputs, the Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value disclosures. See Note 3, Mortgage Servicing Rights and Related Liabilities, for more information.

Equity Securities (Level 1 and Level 3) – In the second quarter of 2021, the Company sold its Xome Title business and retained 9.9% interest in the form of common stock. The fair value of these common stock is measured quarterly based on an independent third-party valuation, which utilizes unobservable inputs, in addition to observable market indicators. Because of the nature of the unobservable inputs, the Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value disclosures.

In the third quarter of 2021, the Company received equity securities in the form of common stock in connection with the sale of Xome Valuations business. The fair value of these common stock is measured using the closing price reported on an active market in which the securities are traded. As the fair value is based on market observable inputs, the Company classifies these valuations as Level 1 in the fair value disclosures. See Note 1, Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation for further details on sale of businesses.

The following tables present the estimated carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


	September 30, 2021
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value - Recurring Basis	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	7,939	$	—	$	7,939	$	—
Forward mortgage servicing rights	3,666		—		—		3,666
Equity securities	58		8		—		50
Derivative financial instruments
IRLCs	167		—		—		167
LPCs	6		—		—		6
Forward MBS trades	61		—		61		—

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

LPCs	13		—		—		13
Forward MBS trades	23		—		23		—
Swap futures	12		—		12		—
Mortgage servicing rights financing	20		—		—		20
Excess spread financing	822		—		—		822


	December 31, 2020
			Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value - Recurring Basis	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Mortgage loans held for sale	$	5,720	$	—	$	5,720	$	—
Forward mortgage servicing rights	2,703		—		—		2,703
Derivative financial instruments
IRLCs	414		—		—		414
LPCs	38		—		—		38
Forward MBS trades	37		—		37		—

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
LPCs	1		—		—		1
Forward MBS trades	156		—		156		—
Mortgage servicing rights financing	33		—		—		33
Excess spread financing	934		—		—		934

The tables below present a reconciliation for all of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Assets								Liabilities
Fair Value - Level 3 Assets and Liabilities	Forward mortgage servicing rights		Equity securities		IRLCs		LPCs		Excess spread financing		Mortgage servicing rights financing		LPCs
Balance - beginning of period	$	2,703	$	—	$	414	$	38	$	934	$	33	$	1
Changes in fair value included in earnings	(296)		—		(247)		(32)		6		(13)		12
Other changes	44		—		—		—		—		—		—
Purchases, issuances, sales, repayments and settlements
Purchases/Additions	438		50		—		—		—		—		—
Issuances	790		—		—		—		—		—		—
Sales	(13)		—		—		—		—		—		—
Settlements and repayments	—		—		—		—		(118)		—		—
Balance - end of period	$	3,666	$	50	$	167	$	6	$	822	$	20	$	13


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Assets						Liabilities
Fair Value - Level 3 Assets and Liabilities	Forward mortgage servicing rights		IRLCs		LPCs		Excess spread financing		Mortgage servicing rights financing
Balance - beginning of period	$	3,496	$	135	$	12	$	1,311	$	37
Changes in fair value included in earnings	(1,332)		279		26		(132)		10
Other changes	57		—		—		—		—
Purchases, issuances, sales, repayments and settlements
Purchases	30		—		—		—		—
Issuances	412		—		—		24		—
Settlements and repayments	—		—		—		(159)		—
Balance - end of period	$	2,663	$	414	$	38	$	1,044	$	47

No transfers were made in or out of Level 3 fair value assets and liabilities for the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

The tables below present the quantitative information for significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities:


	September 30, 2021									December 31, 2020
	Range						Weighted Average			Range						Weighted Average
Level 3 Inputs	Min			Max						Min			Max
Forward MSR
Discount rate	9.5		%	13.8		%	10.9		%	8.2		%	12.0		%	9.4		%
Prepayment speed	11.8		%	16.5		%	12.9		%	14.2		%	21.3		%	15.4		%
Cost to service per loan(1)	$	61		$	180		$	79		$	66		$	257		$	98
Average life(2)							5.8 years									5.0 years

IRLCs
Value of servicing (basis points per loan)	(1.3)			2.4			1.3			(1.0)			2.2			1.2

Excess spread financing
Discount rate	9.5		%	13.8		%	11.2		%	9.9		%	15.7		%	12.2		%
Prepayment speed	12.8		%	15.1		%	13.4		%	13.9		%	15.0		%	14.4		%
Recapture rate	17.3		%	28.9		%	23.1		%	17.7		%	24.2		%	19.5		%
Average life(2)							5.4 years									5.1 years

Mortgage servicing rights financing
Advance financing and counterparty fee rates	5.2		%	8.0		%	6.7		%	4.6		%	8.5		%	7.5		%
Annual advance recovery rates	18.8		%	22.6		%	20.7		%	18.3		%	22.0		%	19.9		%

(1)Presented in whole dollar amounts.

(2)Average life is included for informational purposes.

The tables below present a summary of the estimated carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value:


	September 30, 2021
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial Instruments			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	731	$	731	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash	118		118		—		—
Advances and other receivables, net	909		—		—		909
Loans subject to repurchase from Ginnie Mae	2,703		—		2,703		—
Financial liabilities
Unsecured senior notes, net	2,076		2,168		—		—
Advance and warehouse facilities, net	8,206		—		8,219		—
Liability for loans subject to repurchase from Ginnie Mae	2,703		—		2,703		—


	December 31, 2020
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial Instruments			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	695	$	695	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash	135		135		—		—
Advances and other receivables, net	940		—		—		940
Loans subject to repurchase from Ginnie Mae	6,159		—		6,159		—
Financial liabilities
Unsecured senior notes, net	2,074		2,208		—		—
Advance and warehouse facilities, net	6,258		—		6,269		—
Liability for loans subject to repurchase from Ginnie Mae	6,159		—		6,159		—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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