Mr Cooper announces $1.4 billion buy of Flagstar’s mortgage operations

In a move expected to yield 1.3 million new customers, Mr Cooper Group announced plans for a $1.4 billion acquisition.

The Dallas-based mortgage servicer and originator announced plans to purchase the residential mortgage operations of Flagstar Bank, a subsidiary of New York Community Bank, Inc.

Along with more than 1 million customers, Mr Cooper would add about $356 billion in unpaid principal balance between mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) and subservicing contracts.

In addition to the mortgage servicing rights and subservicing contracts, the deal would also include Flagstar’s advances and a third-party originating platform.

“We have the operational capacity to onboard Flagstar’s customers with a smooth and positive experience, which will be our top priority,” said Mr Cooper chairman and CEO Jay Bray. “We also look forward to welcoming Flagstar team members to the Mr. Cooper family. We have long respected Flagstar as a mortgage servicer, and we feel very closely aligned with their cultural values.”

Mr Cooper, which is publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange, plans to fund the deal through a combination of available cash and drawdowns of existing mortgage serving request lines.

Joseph M. Otting, Flagstar’s chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement the sale of the business was not taken lightly.

“Mr. Cooper is a major player in the mortgage origination and servicing business. It was important to us that we commit to a buyer with strong mortgage expertise and reputation, and a shared commitment to customer service excellence and employee values,” said Otting.

The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.

Jefferies LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to New York Community Bancorp in the transaction.

The company has emphasized a “home-centric” work environment during the past few years.