The consumer groups raised various legal arguments about the final rule, including that it was issued in violation of various laws that set requirements for the rulemaking process.
Some large banks repositioned their portfolios to favor Ginnie pass-throughs during the first quarter of 2026, and several regional banks closed mergers that grew their MBS holdings. (Includes two data tables.)
The refi share of originations hit 46.7% in the first quarter, thanks to low interest rates in January and February. Purchase-mortgage volume was up 3.7% compared to the first quarter of 2025. (Includes four data tables.)
Issuance of loans to Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities hit a four-year peak in April, marked by strong refinance volume and rising activity involving loan modifications. (Includes two data tables.)
Issuance of prime non-agency mortgage-backed securities increased by 17.0% on a quarterly basis in the first quarter of 2026. (Includes three data tables.)
Issuance of non-agency CMBS was up 13% from the fourth quarter to $41 billion, including big gains in retail, office and multifamily. But agency multifamily MBS production fell 22%. (Includes two data tables.)
Conventional-conforming mortgages accounted for 54.3% of originations in the first quarter of 2026. Rocket Mortgage was the top producer of the loans in the quarter. (Includes two data tables.)
The interest rate outlook is looking better for MSR values than it is for mortgage originations. New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh faces headwinds on a rate cut this year, with some economists anticipating that the next move by the central bank will actually be a rate hike.
Bank ABS holdings rose in the first quarter thanks to sizable gains in securities backed by consumer and auto loans. TD Bank accounted for much of the increase. (Includes two data tables.)
Fannie saw a slightly bigger increase in Supers issuance than Freddie did in the first quarter. Ginnie Platinum issuance was down, but the agency led the way in CMO production. (Includes two data tables.)
Adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 38.2% of first-lien holdings at banks and thrifts at the end of March, down from 42.6% at the end of December. (Includes data table.)
At the MBA’s secondary market conference this week, non-agency industry participants discussed how to keep non-QM originations flowing through market volatility.
Among the top-five servicers handling non-agency mortgage-backed securities, JPMorgan Chase was the only servicer to see a drop in volume in the first quarter. (Includes data table.)
The volume of loans with primary insurance coverage flowing into agency mortgage-backed securities declined during the first quarter of 2026. FHA refinances in agency MBS issuance were up 8.0%. (Includes two data tables.)
Banks and thrifts decreased the amount of mortgage servicing they handle for other entities in the first quarter. Meanwhile, valuations for the servicing asset increased for the third straight quarter. (Includes data table.)
Overall, FHA and VA lending declined by 8.3% on a quarterly basis in the first quarter of 2026. FHA refi volume was up, helped by loans to existing FHA borrowers. (Includes three data tables.)
Although changes to FHA’s loss-mitigation policies are expected to resolve most of the persistent re-defaults in its portfolio, FHA borrowers continue to be the most exposed to financial stressors.
Ginnie Mae President Joe Gormley addressed how he’s been filling a dual role as temporary FHA head since Commissioner Frank Cassidy went on leave from the position in April.
Lenders turned down 22.0% of applications received for FHA loans in 2025. The rejection rate on VA mortgages was a more modest 16.1%. (Includes data table.)
The volume of loans with primary insurance coverage flowing into agency mortgage-backed securities declined during the first quarter of 2026. FHA refinances in agency MBS issuance were up 8.0%. (Includes two data tables.)
Conventional-conforming mortgages accounted for 54.3% of originations in the first quarter of 2026. Rocket Mortgage was the top producer of the loans in the quarter. (Includes two data tables.)
Adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 38.2% of first-lien holdings at banks and thrifts at the end of March, down from 42.6% at the end of December. (Includes data table.)
Bank ABS holdings rose in the first quarter thanks to sizable gains in securities backed by consumer and auto loans. TD Bank accounted for much of the increase. (Includes two data tables.)
Single-family MBS issuance by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased by 8.5% from March to April. Lenders boosted their deliveries without compromising on underwriting standards for purchase mortgages. (Includes two data tables.)
Overall, FHA and VA lending declined by 8.3% on a quarterly basis in the first quarter of 2026. FHA refi volume was up, helped by loans to existing FHA borrowers. (Includes three data tables.)
Single-family MBS issuance by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased by 8.5% from March to April. Lenders boosted their deliveries without compromising on underwriting standards for purchase mortgages. (Includes two data tables.)
Both VantageScore and FICO have commissioned research to support their claims of superiority. But the truth probably won’t be known until VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T compete head-to-head.