Fannie reported a 3.6% increase in seller repurchases during the fourth quarter, while Freddie volume was essentially flat. For the year, lender buybacks were down 36% from 2023. (Includes three data tables.)

Most lenders reported significant improvement in servicing profitability that was driven by MSR markups. But results varied greatly on the production side, where lenders that rely on TPO channels fared much better. (Includes data tables.)

Fitch, Kroll and DBRS continued to dominate the business of rating non-agency MBS in 2024, but S&P and Moody’s remained heavy hitters in rating ABS.

The rate of growth for non-agency MBS outstanding in 2024 was four times that of the growth in agency MBS.

U.S. depository institutions remained key players supporting the MBS market, but their combined holdings declined in the fourth quarter. Mutual funds and life insurers picked up the slack. (Includes three data tables.)

JPMorgan Chase reported a $32.24 billion decline in agency MBS holdings in its trading account during the fourth quarter.

While originations ticked up for some, gain-on-sale margins declined during the fourth quarter.

Mortgage-banking income reported by nonbank lenders nearly tripled in the fourth quarter to $3.86 billion. The gain came from massive markups of MSR values thanks to rising interest rates. (Includes data table.)

Bank holdings of structured finance securities backed by business loans declined slightly in the fourth quarter, although several institutions grew their portfolios. (Includes data table.)

Bank holding companies sharply reduced their trading-account holdings of MBS and ABS in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase and Citi recorded significant declines. (Includes two data tables.)