On Tuesday, Jacksonville, Florida-based Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS) announced the formation of the LPS Real Estate Group. The new division was created as a result of the company’s acquisition and rebranding of the businesses comprising FNRES Holdings, Inc.

US Real Estate Services Inc. (USRES), a national provider of REO management services headquartered in Lake Forest, California, has announced the launch and immediate availability of a new service – USRES Property Management.

Cleveland’s Safeguard Properties was among 96 Northeast Ohio companies honored at the 2009 Crain’s Leading EDGE Awards at Kent State University in May. In its third year, this prestigious award was created and developed by The Entrepreneurs EDGE, a non-profit organization that provides services, programs, education, civic and networking opportunities to mid-market companies to help them grow in value.

Loan modifications made by mortgage lenders and servicers spiked during the first quarter of the year, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).

New York-based Cantor Fitzgerald, a global financial services firm, recently announced the launch of a new whole loans real estate division and the hiring of two securities and mortgage industry veterans as whole loan specialists within its Debt Capital Markets group.

Freddie Mac’s total mortgage portfolio decreased at an annualized rate of 1.6 percent in May, while sister company Fannie Mae reported its portfolio grew by 35.1 percent. Freddie’s portfolio now stands at $823.

Philadelphia-based Radian Guaranty Inc. , a provider of private mortgage insurance and related risk management products to lenders nationwide, has launched a new program that the company says will help borrowers qualify for traditional refinances on loans not currently serviced by their present lender – even with today’s declining home process and tighter lending standards.

Attorneys Michelle Garcia Gilbert and Amy McGrotty have launched a new law firm specializing in the areas of mortgage default, loss mitigation, real estate litigation, evictions, bankruptcy, and REO closings throughout the state of Florida.

Much controversy has surfaced regarding the role and effect of appraisal management companies (AMCs) in the wake of the GSEs’ new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). Just last week, lawmakers in the House introduced legislation that would suspend HVCC for 18 months, so that concerns over its effectiveness could be addressed.

The mortgage default servicing law firm of Martin, Leigh, Laws & Fritzlen, PC (MLL&F) and its subsidiary Mokan Title Services, LLC, both headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, recently announced that the companies presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Harvesters Community Food Network, a local charity food bank.