While non-agency MBS issuance was essentially level in the first quarter of 2022, there was some movement among servicers in the sector. Servicing activity at Cenlar and UWM dropped, while Shellpoint and smaller servicers increased their market share. (Includes data chart.)
With interest rates starting to rise, production income took a hit in the fourth quarter of 2021. While servicing income increased, the mortgage business was less profitable. (Includes data chart.)
Firms active in nonprime servicing increased their portfolios by 7.5% on an annual basis in 2021. Servicers also are turning to loan modifications as forbearance plans end. (Includes data chart.)
While delinquencies on non-QMs spiked in the early days of the pandemic, many of those borrowers returned to making payments or cured their debt without the loan holders suffering large losses.
Regulatory oversight of nonbank mortgage lender/servicers has increased in recent years, but most of the actions have been uncoordinated. In the latest move, FHFA proposed financial standards for GSE seller/servicers.
While servicing for others among banks declined slightly in the fourth quarter, trends varied among the big boys. Top-ranked Wells continued to reduce its portfolio while second-ranked JPM was an active buyer of MSRs. (Includes data chart.)
The Federal Housing Finance Agency plans to implement tiered financial requirements for nonbank servicers and set harsher treatment for Ginnie servicing than what’s currently required for GSE seller/servicers.
Nearly every company in a group of 30 prominent servicers of jumbo mortgages increased their respective portfolios during the fourth quarter. Jumbo servicing also increased on an annual basis. (Includes data chart.)
The number of loans 30-59 days delinquent in agency MBS increased during the second half of 2021. Late payments increased on FHA mortgages along with GSE loans. (Includes data chart.)
Overall, mortgage delinquencies at the end of 2021 had returned to levels seen before the pandemic. Serious delinquency rates are elevated compared with the days before the coronavirus. (Includes data chart.)