Amid the chaos in the financial market, originations of jumbo mortgages at big banks continue while non-QM lenders are laying off staff.

As the economic crisis precipitated by the coronavirus heats up, residential lenders have tightened their underwriting guidelines.

The mortgage market remained unsettled as the coronavirus damaged the U.S. economy and lenders weighed their options. The Fed came to the rescue with liquidity measures but fears regarding nonbanks persist.

The bulk of lenders operating in the non-QM market have suspended production due to a lack of demand in the secondary market. There are some signs that originations could resume within weeks.

To reduce contact between appraisers and homeowners, the government-sponsored enterprises will accept an exterior-only inspection or a desktop appraisal. Income verification requirements have also been eased.

Some 59 nonbanks accounted for 60.6% of mortgage production by the top 100 lenders in the fourth quarter as their combined output rose 9.5% from the previous period. (Includes two data charts.)

The closure of nonessential businesses to contain the spread of the coronavirus has affected mortgage loan closings in counties where recording offices have shuttered.

It was mortgage market Armageddon this week, courtesy of the corona-virus. Lenders were knee-deep in refis but fears mounted regarding an expected spike in delinquencies and about nonbank liquidity. The feds issued a foreclosure moratorium on government and GSE loans.

Some non-QM lenders are facing pricing issues as demand in the secondary market fluctuates. At least one wholesale lender has suspended originations.

Several nonbanks claim to have plenty of liquidity amid the current market turmoil. Servicing will incur losses while originations generate income.