Kroll Bond Rating Agency published a report focusing on mortgages originated by CDFIs and their inclusion in non-agency MBS. The Change Company defended its practices while Quontic Bank stopped offering “no ratio” loans.
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.
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.
A handful of real estate investment trusts acquired non-QMs at a discount as interest rates increased during the first quarter. Lenders selling the loans took some losses but appear to have weathered the storm.
MFA Financial took a large loss in the first quarter as rising interest rates reduced the value of non-QMs on the REIT’s balance sheet. Lima One, a business-purpose lender now owned by MFA, was a bright spot.
Originations at Velocity Financial increased in the first quarter despite an increase in interest rates. The lender’s income declined, though much of the drift was tied to a refi of corporate debt that could be beneficial in the long term.