Lenders can use the QM standards drafted in the waning days of the Trump administration. But there’s no certainty new leadership at the CFPB will leave them as they are.
MFA Financial made an investment in a non-QM lender, Starwood Property Trust is closing in on a similar move, and Western Asset Mortgage Capital expanded its purchase agreements.
Nonprime servicing portfolios fell by 0.7% in 4Q20 and 4.1% year-over-year. But Select Portfolio Servicing boosted its receivables during the year. (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.
A January agreement between the Treasury and FHFA, which places limits on mortgage acquisitions by the GSEs, could send some business to the non-agency market. The limits apply to high-risk mortgages as well as loans for investment properties and second homes. (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.