Originations of non-agency jumbo mortgages declined by 1.5% in the first quarter though the sector gained some market share as total first-lien originations fell by an even greater amount.
Expanded-credit mortgage originations declined for the second consecutive quarter at the end of March. Demand from borrowers was down but lenders remain optimistic about the sector.
FHFA Director Mark Calabria plans to take steps to help non-agency market players better compete with the government-sponsored enterprises. However, lowering conforming loan limits isn’t part of the plan.
The trade group is urging the CFPB to allow jumbos to receive qualified mortgage status even if the loans have debt-to-income ratios greater than 43%. The pending expiration of the QM patch has also prompted a back-and-forth among think tanks.
Chase and Chimera are set to issue separate non-agency MBS backed by mortgages for investment properties, following similar deals from a handful of other firms.
Carrington Mortgage Services is prepping its first MBS backed by non-qualified mortgages, which differ from loans in expanded-credit products from other issuers.
An affiliate of Angelo Gordon plans to enter the non-agency MBS market with a deal backed by non-QMs. Western Asset Management priced one of the largest expanded-credit MBS and more deals are in the works.
Maxex recently completed a round of funding, taking the amount of capital it has raised since 2012 to more than $90 million. The company connects buyers and sellers of jumbo mortgages.