Spreads on agency MBS widened during the third quarter, leading to a decline in values for agency MBS holdings. Still, investors stress that agency MBS is an attractive investment option.
Attendance at the ABS East conference hit a record this week even as industry participants are anticipating a recession. Parts of the ABS market are offering investors better returns than corporate debt.
Bank demand for agency MBS is weak, leading to wider spreads and losses on MBS holdings for some. Banks are also reducing their lending activity, providing an opening for nonbanks.
Ever since the Fed started its rate-hiking cycle, the spread between interest rates on loans in agency MBS and the 10-year Treasury rate has been elevated. Prepayment risk is to blame and there’s no easy fix.
Margin calls from repo lenders are always a risk when collateral values decline, which is why MBS holders, like REITs, are under watch. The yield on the 10-year Treasury is at a 16-year high — that’s the bad news. The good news: This may be the peak of the cycle.
JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs accounted for much of the big increase in agency MBS held in bank holding company trading accounts during the second quarter. But several other companies recorded significant increases as well. (Includes two data charts.)
Although REITs’ total MBS holdings were down in the second quarter, the industry recorded a modest increase in its agency MBS investment portfolio. (Includes two data charts.)
FINRA plans to implement margin requirements for agency MBS transactions in May. The requirements, which have been delayed for years, will apply to broker-dealers.
Moves by the Trump administration are disrupting the economy and the federal agencies that deal with the housing market. Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the MBA, isn’t sure how it’s all going to play out.
House Republicans called for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to roll back the FHA payment supplement program.
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