Four deals were brought to the market in the past two weeks and more are in the works. However, issuance will slow as the recent activity was backed by loans originated before non-QM lenders halted production.
After issuance ground to a halt in March, five non-QM MBS deals came to the market in May and more are on the way. Transactions have been stocked with slightly seasoned mortgages.
A $335 million deal from Goldman Sachs is the first prime non-agency MBS in the market since mid-March. The transaction includes mortgages originated in the past few months.
A coalition of industry trade groups asked the SEC to revise standards for publicly registered non-agency MBS. They suggested aligning standards with practices for private placements.
Beginning in March, the GSEs loosened certain appraisal standards due to complications from the coronavirus. A number of non-agency lenders are following the GSEs’ lead.
Neuberger Berman issued a non-QM MBS this week, ending a lull in issuance that started in late February due to volatility from the coronavirus. Other issuers also plan to return to the market.
Redwood took a $943 million loss in the first quarter amid volatility from the coronavirus. The REIT laid off about 35% of its employees in April, among other adjustments.