Is it time for non-QM originators to hike the interest rates they charge borrowers? It might be a good idea, that is, if they want to maintain profitability.

Fannie removed some loans from its MBS early; Guaranteed Rate restructured a jumbo MBS before issuance; the GSEs are prepping separate risk- sharing transactions.

Non-agency MBS on offer in recent weeks include deals backed solely by mortgages originated by a Community Development Financial Institution, non-agency mortgages for investment properties and proprietary reverse mortgages.

Margin requirements for trading GSE MBS are on the way; the Fed will end its stimulus-related purchases of agency MBS in March; JPM readies its largest jumbo MBS since 2016.

Six issuers offered expanded-credit MBS in recent days, ending a nearly 30-day pause in issuance. Loans in the deals have seasoned for longer than the turn times seen for prime non-agency MBS.

Driven by demand for EBOs and non-agency products, trading desks were quite active in 2021. The new year is shaping up to be a bright one as well.

It should be a busy year for non-QM securitization. Angel Oak plans to be in the market almost monthly while Acra is working on its first “big” deal.

Industry participants are confident that the non-agency market can absorb some GSE mortgages that will otherwise be subject to higher fees; SFA highlights ABS LIBOR complication; Credit Suisse modifies MBS issued in 2019; New Residential set to issue single-family rental securitization.

REITs continue to buy agency MBS but carry a caveat: The sector is shrinking in terms of asset size. Investors who are contrarian at heart might want to start nibbling on some of these stocks.

ABS East attendance declined this year; non-agency MBS issuers saw weaker demand in November as supply spiked; GSE g-fees didn’t vary much based on seller size in 2020.