After temporarily suspending originations during the pandemic, wholesaler ClearEdge Lending is ramping up production of non-agency mortgages.

Chase’s nonprime servicing portfolio increased tenfold to $44.40 billion at the end of March. The spike was due to a change in the way the bank reports numbers and not because of an influx of new servicing. (Includes data chart.)

Trade groups representing lenders are urging regulators to maintain the link between QMs and loans exempt from mandatory risk retention.

An estimated $8.60 billion of non-qualified mortgages and other expanded-credit products were originated in the first quarter. But the sector’s market share was still below 1.0%. (Includes data chart.)

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.

The top three servicers of non-agency MBS issued during the first quarter of 2021 handled nearly 70% of the market. Shellpoint, the top-ranked firm, alone had a 41% share.

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

A reduction in GSE refi business along with regulatory changes are expected to prompt an increase in originations of non-agency mortgages. The bulk of the increase could come from prime loans.

A number of firms are working to increase originations of non-QMs and ramping up investments in the loans. It can be a highly profitable business, though investor demand is volatile.

As an increase in interest rates curtailed its GSE refi volume, Impac is rushing to ramp up originations of non-QMs. The firm also plans to issue its own MBS.