The representations and warranties used in jumbo MBS can sufficiently handle some breaches but fail to completely protect investors, according to Moody’s Investors Service. In a report released this week, the rating service noted that issuers use two main varieties of reps and warrants: those that allow for an open-ended review of loans and those that employ a prescriptive framework. The open-ended reviews are seen in jumbo MBS from Redwood Trust, WinWater Home Mortgage and others...
The planned transfer of servicing on two non-agency MBS from Ocwen Financial to Select Portfolio Servicing marks the first time in recent years that Ocwen will lose servicing due to a vote by investors. Analysts at Moody’s Investors Service said the servicing transfer on two deals issued by Barclays Capital in 2006 “set a negative precedent” for Ocwen. The transfer was prompted by a vote by investors in the non-agency MBS that came about because Ocwen experienced an event of default due to recent downgrades to the firm’s servicer ratings. “While most of Ocwen’s portfolio has not experienced [defaults based on servicer quality] that would allow for forced transfer, around 695 transactions do have...