WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onity Group Inc. (NYSE: ONIT) (“Onity” or the “Company”) today announced that Aulene Wessel has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective February 23, 2026. Ms. Wessel reports to Sean O’Neil, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Onity. Ms. Wessel is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the controllership function, overseeing all core accounting operations, internal controls, technical acco ...

Core Insights - Rocket Companies is set to close its acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group, which will significantly expand its mortgage servicing business from servicing 2.8 million loans with a total unpaid principal balance of $609.2 billion to approximately $2.1 trillion [1] - The acquisition of Redfin allows Rocket to access 50 million monthly customers, enhancing its position in the housing market and facilitating a seamless transition from home search to financing [2] - Rocket's business model has evolved from a pure online mortgage originator to a full-service housing company, diversifying its operations to mitigate the cyclical nature of mortgage origination [4][5] Business Performance and Market Conditions - Rocket has faced challenges due to rising interest rates, which have negatively impacted its business, but falling rates may provide a much-needed boost [6][7] - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate by 150 basis points from its peak, with expectations for further cuts, which could stimulate refinancing activity [7] - Falling interest rates could lead to increased refinancing activity, benefiting Rocket as homeowners seek to refinance loans taken at higher rates [9] Market Opportunities - Rocket identifies a $5 trillion total addressable market in the fragmented home finance sector, with the mortgage origination segment projected to be around $1.9 trillion by 2025 [10] - The company aims to leverage technology to create an integrated homeownership platform, reducing client acquisition costs and fostering long-term customer relationships [11] - An investment of $500 million in artificial intelligence positions Rocket to handle increased volume efficiently, allowing it to adapt to market changes [12] Strategic Positioning - Rocket's diversification across the home-buying ecosystem has reduced its sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, positioning it well for future growth as rates are expected to decline [13]

Core Insights - Sound Financial Bancorp reported a net income of $1.7 million for Q3 2025, a decrease from $2.1 million in Q2 2025 and an increase from $1.2 million in Q3 2024, with diluted earnings per share of $0.66 [1] - The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.19 per share, payable on November 21, 2025 [1] Financial Performance - Total assets increased by $1.9 million or 0.2% to $1.06 billion at September 30, 2025, but decreased by $40.8 million or 3.7% from $1.10 billion at September 30, 2024 [5] - Loans held-for-portfolio increased by $5.4 million or 0.6% to $909.7 million at September 30, 2025, compared to $901.7 million at September 30, 2024 [5][35] - Total deposits decreased by $516 thousand or 0.1% to $898.9 million at September 30, 2025, and decreased by $31.3 million or 3.4% from $930.2 million at September 30, 2024 [6][40] Interest Income and Expenses - Net interest income decreased by $315 thousand or 3.4% to $8.9 million for Q3 2025, but increased by $1.1 million or 13.6% from $7.9 million in Q3 2024 [7][12] - The net interest margin was 3.48% for Q3 2025, down from 3.67% in Q2 2025 and up from 2.98% in Q3 2024 [8] - Interest expense increased by $52 thousand or 0.9% to $5.7 million for Q3 2025, compared to Q2 2025 [16] Credit Quality - Total nonperforming loans decreased by $649 thousand or 19.3% to $2.7 million at September 30, 2025, compared to the previous quarter [7] - A provision for credit losses of $55 thousand was recorded for Q3 2025, down from $170 thousand in Q2 2025 [9][17] - The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans outstanding was 0.94% at September 30, 2025, compared to 0.95% at September 30, 2024 [9][37] Noninterest Income and Expenses - Total noninterest income decreased by $239 thousand or 21.3% to $881 thousand for Q3 2025, compared to Q2 2025 [10][24] - Noninterest expense remained stable at $7.7 million for Q3 2025, with slight fluctuations in specific categories [28][30] Capital Management - Stockholders' equity totaled $107.5 million at September 30, 2025, an increase of $1.4 million or 1.4% from the previous quarter [42] - The company maintained capital levels in excess of regulatory requirements and was categorized as "well-capitalized" at September 30, 2025 [11]

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Companies has transformed into an attractive investment opportunity following strategic acquisitions, despite facing challenges from rising interest rates and a cooling housing market [1][12]. Group 1: Company Performance and Market Conditions - Rocket Companies went public in August 2020 as the largest retail mortgage originator in the U.S., initially benefiting from low interest rates and a refinancing boom during the pandemic [3]. - The company's operating earnings fell sharply due to rising interest rates and decreased mortgage demand, leading to skepticism among investors and a decline in stock price [4][12]. - The stock price has rebounded to approximately $18, which is 58% below its all-time high of $43 reached in March 2021 [2]. Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions - Rocket has made significant acquisitions, including Mr. Cooper Group and Redfin, to diversify its earnings and enhance resilience against market fluctuations [6][8]. - The acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group, which closed on October 1, provides Rocket with the largest mortgage servicing platform in the U.S., with over $2.1 trillion in unpaid principal balances, generating stable recurring fee income [9]. - The Redfin acquisition, completed in July, enhances Rocket's customer acquisition through its real estate search platform, bringing millions of potential home buyers into Rocket's ecosystem [10]. Group 3: Business Model and Future Outlook - Rocket aims to control the entire home-buying experience, from search to closing and servicing, fostering long-term customer relationships [7][8]. - The integration of Redfin's agent network with Rocket's origination and servicing capabilities creates a comprehensive solution for home buying and financing, improving margins and reducing acquisition costs [11]. - If interest rates decline, Rocket could benefit from a recovering housing market and a potential refinancing boom, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for mortgage needs [13].

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Companies is acquiring Mr. Cooper Group in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $9.4 billion, aiming to consolidate market share in a challenging high-interest-rate environment [3][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Rocket will incur $400 to $500 million in acquisition-related expenses but anticipates realizing $500 million in annual pretax savings [3]. - The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings, with a projected earnings boost in the mid-teens percentile by 2026 [3]. - The deal will add 7 million clients to Rocket's customer base, positioning the company to be involved in one out of every six mortgages in the U.S. [3]. Group 2: Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is part of Rocket's strategy to gain market share amid a difficult mortgage sector, which has been affected by high-interest rates [2]. - Mr. Cooper Group's revenue model, which focuses on mortgage servicing, is expected to provide revenue diversity for Rocket, as this segment performs better in a high-rate environment [5]. - The combined company will have a more balanced revenue stream from both origination and mortgage servicing rights (MSR), potentially leading to better valuation and less dependency on interest rate fluctuations [5][6]. Group 3: Leadership Changes - Following the acquisition, Jay Bray, the current chairman and CEO of Mr. Cooper Group, will become president and CEO of Rocket Mortgage [4].