Bank holdings of auto ABS were up in the second quarter due to a big gain at U.S. Bank, while Ameriprise reported a sharp drop in its portfolio of commercial/industrial ABS. (Includes two data charts.)
Although REITs’ total MBS holdings were down in the second quarter, the industry recorded a modest increase in its agency MBS investment portfolio. (Includes two data charts.)
The pace of house-price appreciation has slowed markedly over the past year, though there are still some hot pockets. And the FHFA's HPA index is pointing to another significant increase in the conforming loan limit for 2024. (Includes three data charts.)
Some $121.38 billion of mortgages to first-time homebuyers were included in agency mortgage-backed securities issued during the second quarter, up 41.4% from the first quarter.
With primary-market rates topping 7% in August, the outlook for agency single-family MBS production is not favorable. A clutch of nonbanks continues to dominant issuance. (Includes two data charts.)
First-time buyers met the challenge of high mortgage rates, sparse property listings and persistently high house prices to fuel a heady gain in purchase-mortgage activity in the second quarter. (Includes four data charts.)