Non-agency forbearance reading increases; non-QM lenders make personnel moves; Moody’s withdraws its jumbo assessment of Quicken Loans, Regions Bank to acquire home-improvement lender.

The non-agency market has emerged as an alternative, albeit at a higher cost, for lenders to deliver GSE-eligible mortgages backed by investment properties and second homes. However, some lenders are concerned about the adverse impact GSE restrictions could have.

Chase issued its fifth large prime non-agency MBS of the year, along with a number of more traditionally sized deals. United Wholesale Mortgage is also set to issue its first deal.

Nomura is set to enter the market with a deal backed by non-agency mortgages for investment properties while two other issuers also have deals with newer non-QMs. There’s also a rare non-agency MBS with jumbo reverse mortgages.

Angel Oak Mortgage, which primarily invests in non-QMs originated by affiliates of Angel Oak Companies, plans to become a public company.

Business-purpose lender Velocity Financial increased loan production in the first quarter of 2021 but income declined. The firm, which sold fewer loans in the first quarter, issued an MBS in May.

A flurry of non-agency MBS hit the market; the number of non-agency mortgages in forbearance increases; SFA raises concerns about CFPB’s proposal to establish a partial foreclosure moratorium; SFA to set up data tape task force; Sachem Capital generates $2.2 million of net income in 1Q21; new industry hires.

Near the end of April, Chase and Redwood were marketing large jumbo MBS. Also, Citi returned to the sector for the first time since 2014.

Redwood Trust nearly doubled its net income in the first quarter, helped by the quick aggregation and sale of jumbo mortgages.

The real estate investment trust also plans to acquire business-purpose loan originator Lima One.