Latest News

MBA Takes Sides in UWM-Rocket-Fairway Dustup
March 5, 2021
Agency MBS Issuance Eases in February but Not By Much
March 5, 2021
The agencies issued $304.15 billion of new single-family MBS in February — the fifth straight month over the $300 billion mark, a level never seen until August of last year.
Florida Court Grants Ocwen Summary Judgement in CFPB Case
March 5, 2021
However, the court provided an opening for the CFPB to pursue claims raised in the parties’ motion for summary judgment alleging loan servicing misconduct after Feb. 26, 2017...
Goldman: Long-Term Returns on Agency MBS Could Go Negative
March 5, 2021
If MBS returns go negative, that means lenders will have to hike rates to entice investors. Right? Consequences?

Repurchases
4Q20 GSE Buyback Activity Rises with Soaring Issuance
Repurchases were up in the fourth quarter of 2020, with Freddie still representing a disproportionate share of the action. Most claims are resolved without a buyback. (Includes three data charts.)
Sales
GSE Cash-Window Caps Could Impact Scores of Lenders
An Inside The GSEs analysis of UMBS issued by Fannie and Freddie over the past two years suggests the $1.5 billion cash-purchase cap will undercut loan sales at scores of lenders. (Includes data chart.)
Investors
REITs Still Rebuilding MBS Portfolios Slowly in 4Q20
Industry-wide REIT MBS holdings expanded just 0.6% during the fourth quarter, a sharp slowdown from the growth rates in the prior two quarters. (Includes data chart.)
Mortgage Insurance
VA Share of Primary MI Continued to Grow in 2020
The VA home loan program surged past the FHA in new business in 2020. Thanks to its rapid-refi option, the VA also took market share away from private MIs. (Includes three data charts.)
Government-Insured Originations
Refi Train Carries FHA/VA Lending to Record in 2020
VA refinance activity was the key driver in the government-insured market last year, as production rose 168% from 2019. Freedom rode the refi train to become the top FHA/VA lender in the market.
Expanded Credit
Angel Oak Top Contributor to Expanded-Credit MBS in 2020
Angel Oak Companies was the top supplier of expanded-credit mortgages securitized in 2020. Across the industry, volume was down in the fourth quarter and for the full year. (Includes three data charts.)

Inside Mortgage Finance

Refi Sector Closes Strong in 2020, Dwarfs Homebuying
While the staggering $2.6 trillion of refinance originations in 2020 captured most of the industry's attention, the purchase-mortgage market also hit an annual record of $1.4 trillion. (Includes five data charts.)
One for the Record Books: A Stunning Year for Warehouse Lenders
Warehouse providers racked up $137.0 billion of commitments at year end, arming nonbanks with the credit they needed to make a record amount of new loans. A repeat performance in 2021? Probably not, but a good year nonetheless is expected. (Includes data chart.)
- Nonbank Servicers Pick Apart Standards Proposed by States
- Avoiding Foreclosure Top Priority of CFPB Nominee
More Inside Mortgage Finance

Inside MBS & ABS

Agency MBS Issuance off in February, Volume Still High
March 4, 2021
February marked the fifth month in a row when agency MBS issuance topped $300 billion. Although purchase-mortgage business fell significantly, refi remained strong. (Includes two data charts.)
Goldman: Long-Term Returns on Agency MBS Could Go Negative
March 4, 2021
The Federal Reserve wants to continue buying agency MBS at its current pace, which should keep rates and spreads down for the foreseeable future.
Powell Says Legislation Necessary to Help with LIBOR Transition
March 4, 2021
The Structured Finance Association is working with members of Congress on a potential bill to help facilitate the transition away from the scandal-scarred LIBOR.
CFPB Proposes Keeping GSE QM Patch in Place through Sept 2022
March 4, 2021
The CFPB proposed extending the GSE “patch” through September 2022 while new leadership at the regulator considers revisions to the general QM standards.

More Inside MBS & ABS

Poll

Inside Nonconforming Markets

Some GSE Business Could Move into Non-Agency Market
February 26, 2021
A January agreement between the Treasury and FHFA, which places limits on mortgage acquisitions by the GSEs, could send some business to the non-agency market. The limits apply to high-risk mortgages as well as loans for investment properties and second homes. (Includes data chart.)
Jumbo Lending Up Slightly in 4Q But Sector Loses Market Share
February 26, 2021
Jumbo lending increased a scant 2% in the fourth quarter and held steady on an annual basis in 2020. The sector lost a significant amount of market share as agency refi business boomed. (Includes data chart.)
Chase Floods Secondary Market with Non-Agency Offerings
February 26, 2021
In the span of two days, Chase offered a first-of-its-kind risk-sharing transaction involving non-qualified mortgages and two prime non-agency MBS, including one with a balance of $1.10 billion.
CFPB Delays End of Qualified-Mortgage Patch Rule
February 26, 2021
The QM patch was scheduled to end July 1, but the timeline has been delayed as a Biden CFPB considers its options. The bureau might also revoke the newly-created category of seasoned QMs.

More Inside Nonconforming Markets

Videos

Inside Mortgage Trends

TPO Channels Rebound in 4Q20 Jumbo, Government
March 5, 2021
Retail production continued to gain market share in conventional-conforming lending, the biggest mortgage sector, but correspondent and broker share rose in the government and jumbo markets. (Includes two data charts.)
United Wholesale Takes Aim at Two Competitors; Rocket Fires Back
March 5, 2021
The nation’s largest table-funder, United Wholesale Mortgage, is giving its broker partners an ultimatum: If they work with Rocket Mortgage or Fairway Independent Mortgage, they can’t work for UWM.
Banks Still Retreating from MSR as Valuations Improve
March 5, 2021
Banks continued to allow their portfolios of servicing for others shrink during a year when MSR production levels set records. (Includes data chart.)
Bank Repurchases Down in 4Q20, GNMA Buyouts Too
March 5, 2021
After an anomalous spike in the third quarter, bank repurchase volumes returned to normal levels in the final three months of 2020. (Includes data chart.)

More Inside Mortgage Trends

Inside FHA/VA Lending

Refis Push Ginnie to New Monthly Record in January
A 4% monthly increase in Ginnie Mae refinance volume largely benefited the VA market, which accounted for 57% of Ginnie MBS issuance in January. (Includes two data charts.)
Private MIs Not Losing Sleep Over Rumored MIP Cut
The general consensus among private mortgage insurers is that a potential cut to FHA mortgage insurance premiums will have little impact on their business.
NAMIC to Wait and Watch HUD Decision on Disparate Impact
If HUD moves to preserve the 2013 disparate-impact rule, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies said it will likely continue its legal challenge.
FHA Extends Forbearance, Eviction Moratoriums Again
The new timeline moves the moratorium’s expiration deadline, as well as the timeframe for a borrower to request an initial COVID-19 forbearance by three months to June 30.

More Inside FHA/VA Lending

Premium Newsletter Content

Inside Mortgage Trends
TPO Channels Rebound in 4Q20 Jumbo, Government
Retail production continued to gain market share in conventional-conforming lending, the biggest mortgage sector, but correspondent and broker share rose in the government and jumbo markets. (Includes two data charts.)
Inside Mortgage Finance
Refi Sector Closes Strong in 2020, Dwarfs Homebuying
While the staggering $2.6 trillion of refinance originations in 2020 captured most of the industry's attention, the purchase-mortgage market also hit an annual record of $1.4 trillion. (Includes five data charts.)
Inside Nonconforming Markets
Some GSE Business Could Move into Non-Agency Market
A January agreement between the Treasury and FHFA, which places limits on mortgage acquisitions by the GSEs, could send some business to the non-agency market. The limits apply to high-risk mortgages as well as loans for investment properties and second homes. (Includes data chart.)
Inside MBS & ABS
Agency MBS Issuance off in February, Volume Still High
February marked the fifth month in a row when agency MBS issuance topped $300 billion. Although purchase-mortgage business fell significantly, refi remained strong. (Includes two data charts.)
Inside the CFPB
CFPB Delays QM Rule Start Date, Creating Uncertainty
Even though the delay was more or less expected, industry watchers said the CFPB’s plan to reconsider the revised general QM final rule throws the industry deep into regulatory uncertainty.
Inside The GSEs
GSE Purchase Loans Skid in February, Refi Taps Brakes
Although GSE single-family business volume declined from January to February, the market remained at historically high levels, especially for refinance transactions. (Includes two data charts.)
Inside FHA/VA Lending
Refis Push Ginnie to New Monthly Record in January
A 4% monthly increase in Ginnie Mae refinance volume largely benefited the VA market, which accounted for 57% of Ginnie MBS issuance in January. (Includes two data charts.)

Inside The GSEs

GSE Purchase Loans Skid in February, Refi Taps Brakes
Although GSE single-family business volume declined from January to February, the market remained at historically high levels, especially for refinance transactions. (Includes two data charts.)
MBS Inventor Pushes Utility Model for Fannie and Freddie
Treasury’s stake in the GSEs should be used to create a joint venture focused on affordable housing. Also, to ensure success, Fannie and Freddie should be converted into utilities, two industry pros recommend.
More Inside The GSEs

Refinances were the hot story of 2020, but plenty of purchase lending still got done as well. What did your shop’s loan breakdown look like?