Although the recent spike in rates spooked some players in the non-agency market, conduits like Redwood Trust and Credit Suisse are still in the hunt for new customers.
During an Inside Mortgage Finance webinar on Thursday, participants from expressed frustration on the ability to get new jumbo MBS deals because of the recent rapid rise in rates.
Implementation of state-specific servicing standards like California’s would impose "divergent and conflicting standards" that will add costs to future home buyers and create confusion, said one MBA official.
Some non-agency participants have called for an immediate return to conforming loan limits of $417,000, which were in place in 2008 before Congress established “emergency” loan limits for high-cost areas.
“Confusion and uncertainty around representations and warranties standards continue to cause lenders to add their own overlays to the existing GSE credit standards,” said MBA vice chairman Bill Cosgrove.
It appears that looser underwriting has been driven by an increase in the number of lenders participating in the HARP program and copy-cat efforts that allow for LTVs of greater than 95 percent.
The new FHFA director’s whirlwind first week resulted in widespread staffing cuts at the regulator and a dramatic change in leadership at the GSEs. So far, criticism has been muted.
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