Bank and thrift first-lien holdings declined by 1.2% at the end of 2020, marking the first quarterly drop since the first quarter of 2017. The three largest banks reduced their holdings in the fourth quarter. (Includes data chart.)

A number of lenders have introduced new non-agency products with looser underwriting guidelines in recent weeks. Rocket and United Wholesale offered jumbos and Deephaven widened expanded-credit products.

Issuers of non-agency MBS brought four jumbo deals to the market this week. Some shops closed securitizations with esoteric collateral.

Non-agency forbearance declines; Redwood staff shrinks in 2020; SFVegas rescheduled; details on due diligence billing.

Jumbo lending increased a scant 2% in the fourth quarter and held steady on an annual basis in 2020. The sector lost a significant amount of market share as agency refi business boomed. (Includes data chart.)

In the span of two days, Chase offered a first-of-its-kind risk-sharing transaction involving non-qualified mortgages and two prime non-agency MBS, including one with a balance of $1.10 billion.

The QM patch was scheduled to end July 1, but the timeline has been delayed as a Biden CFPB considers its options. The bureau might also revoke the newly-created category of seasoned QMs.

Ellington Financial and Credit Suisse are set to issue the first MBS with newly-originated non-QMs since the market was disrupted in March 2020.

The volume of jumbo servicing handled by 30 of the top firms in the sector declined by nearly 6% in 2020. The share of borrowers missing payments is increasing. (Includes data chart.)

After reducing its non-agency investments amid volatility from the coronavirus, Annaly is ready to ramp up activity in the sector. The REIT is acquiring non-QMs and packaging them into MBS.