Originations of adjustable-rate mortgages declined in the first quarter of 2022, but at a slower rate than the downturn in total first-lien production. ARMs accounted for 7.9% of total originations during the quarter. (Includes data chart.)
Spreads on expanded-credit MBS issuance have widened significantly this year as lenders sell mortgages originated prior to the runup in interest rates. Issuance has slowed but market participants are optimistic in the long term.
Some non-agency lenders will allow for investment-property mortgages underwritten based on the income generated by the property where the monthly rent doesn’t cover expenses for the property.
An affiliate of Bayview Asset Management issued an MBS with small-balance commercial properties in May, marking the first issuance of its type from the firm since September 2020.
Participants in the non-agency market note that the loans are more difficult to underwrite than typical agency mortgages. But given that agency refi business is falling, there’s still plenty of business to be had in the non-agency space.
Non-agency originations of higher-priced mortgages increased by nearly 60% on an annual basis in 2021. The top lenders include a mix of expanded-credit producers and lenders that focus on manufactured homes. (Includes two data charts.)
Homeowners have plenty of equity and nonbank lenders are looking to replace refinance business, leading some large nonbanks to start offering HELOCs. One complication: what to do with the assets.
Impac increased its emphasis on non-QM lending in the first quarter of 2022 and ended up taking a loss. Officials at the nonbank said hedging and other activities couldn’t overcome volatility in the non-QM market.
Altisource setting up alternative lending operations; Reverse Mortgage Funding offers non-agency MBS with proprietary reverse mortgages; Dovenmuehle assessed as “above average” by Moody’s.