The spread on an expanded-credit MBS Annaly Capital Management priced this week was the widest pricing for the senior tranche of an expanded-credit MBS in more than a year.
Issuance of new residential MBS, commercial MBS and ABS in early 2025 declined about 9% from the fourth quarter, although most sectors were up compared to a year ago. Monthly trends in March were mixed. (Includes three data tables.)
Agency refinance volume was down sharply in the first quarter but it got off to a faster start than in early 2024. Most measures of agency volume were down, but the share of higher-risk loans was trending higher. (Includes two data tables.)
FHA-to-FHA refis increased by nearly 70% in the fourth quarter while purchase mortgage volume slid 12.4%. United Wholesale Mortgage remained the largest FHA lender in 2024.
The correspondent share of nonconforming originations returned to the double digits in the fourth quarter of 2024. Though for the full year, correspondents lost market share.
Lakeview Loan Servicing remained the largest player in the agency servicing market at the end of the first quarter, but the industry’s biggest-ever servicer is in the wings. (Includes two data tables.)
MBS backed by home equity loans originated by nonbanks was the fastest-growing sector of the non-agency market in the first quarter. Both prime and ECM issuance continue to grow as well. (Includes three data tables.)
In the Trump economy, predicting which way rates might go in the wake of a stock market swoon is more difficult than usual. As for MBS spreads narrowing, don’t bet on it anytime soon.
Few issuers tried to price non-agency MBS in the days following President Trump’s tariff announcement last week. An expanded-credit MBS from Annaly priced at the widest spreads seen in more than a year.
Ginnie Mae emerged victorious in a lawsuit brought by Texas Capital Bank over an extinguished lien on collateral for Reverse Mortgage Funding’s home equity conversion mortgages. TCB plans to appeal the ruling.
Expanded-credit mortgages, jumbo loans and GSE-eligible collateral in MBS securitizations were all up in the first quarter of 2025. (Includes data tables.)
Brian O’Shaughnessy, the former co-CEO of Rama Capital Partners, launched ARDRI to provide a mix of the latest technology and customer-focused operations for non-QM mortgage brokers.
Volume of noncore products at the GSEs shifted downward in the first quarter as questions around the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac persist. (Includes data table.)
Parallel bills were introduced this week in what policymakers and lenders hope will be a final bipartisan push to tighten restrictions on the abusive use of credit trigger leads.
The founder of Rocket Companies could see $571.9 million in tax benefits triggered by the company’s planned acquisition of Mr. Cooper; legislation in the House would set standards for remote online notarization; new company offering NMLS-approved education.
Fitch Ratings warned that it could downgrade its corporate rating on Rocket following the company’s planned acquisition of Mr. Cooper. Rocket’s corporate leverage looks poised to increase.
A rise in interest rates around the beginning of the year suppressed refi volume to some extent. PennyMac was the top Ginnie issuer of both FHA and VA mortgages in the first quarter. (Includes four data tables.)
The elimination of eligibility of non-permanent U.S. residents for FHA loans could leave FHA lenders liable for mistakes made when certifying a borrower’s residency status.
Previously-fired probationary employees at HUD are stuck in an administrative leave purgatory awaiting a court decision, while rumors continue to circulate of field-office closures.
While several top buyers of bulk MSR focused on high-coupon servicing from which they can harvest refinance business, the first quarter’s top buyer was mostly interested in prepay-protected lower-rate MSR. (Includes three data tables.)
Lakeview Loan Servicing remained the largest player in the agency servicing market at the end of the first quarter, but the industry’s biggest-ever servicer is in the wings. (Includes two data tables.)
Expanded-credit mortgages, jumbo loans and GSE-eligible collateral in MBS securitizations were all up in the first quarter of 2025. (Includes data tables.)
MBS backed by home equity loans originated by nonbanks was the fastest-growing sector of the non-agency market in the first quarter. Both prime and ECM issuance continue to grow as well. (Includes three data tables.)
A rise in interest rates around the beginning of the year suppressed refi volume to some extent. PennyMac was the top Ginnie issuer of both FHA and VA mortgages in the first quarter. (Includes four data tables.)
Smaller shops may support an end to the GSE conservatorships, but only if it’s done in a way that preserves pricing parity, avoids additional charters and maintains the cash window.