The Fed is taking steps to boost the market for agency MBS and certain sectors of the ABS market, while non-agency MBS isn't receiving direct relief. The Structured Finance Association called for an expansion of the new TALF.
Issuance of non-agency MBS and ABS is still being completed, but at a slower pace. Spreads have widened for new deals along with trading in the secondary market.
A longer statute of limitation and increased disclosure requirements could help attract long-term investors in the MBS and ABS market, industry experts recommend.
JPMorgan Chase has issued its first ABS transaction backed by credit card receivables through Chase Issuance Trust since May 2018. A wildcard to the deal, however, is a pending lawsuit involving the issuance trust.
Banks will no longer have to meet extensive disclosure requirements for their MBS deals to receive investor-friendly protections. The change was met with criticism from an Obama appointee to the FDIC’s board.
The $122 million issuance by Oasis Financial will be backed by litigation funding and medical-lien advances related to personal injuries. The deal received a preliminary A- rating.
A $175 million prime auto ABS issued by GTE Federal Credit Union in November was the first rated ABS issued by a credit union. Other deals are likely to follow thanks to revisions made by the NCUA.
To avoid retaining risk in securitization deals, mortgage lenders are joining hands with investors who act as “co-sponsors” and take on the first-loss position.
Issuance of aircraft-related ABS is expected to shoot up in the coming years but industry analysts are warning about potential performance issues. Fitch said it’s taking a cautious approach to rating new deals.