Most mortgage REITs took advantage of strong MBS fundamentals to increase their agency holdings in the fourth quarter. While some REITs are drawn to the surging non-QM sector, industry holdings of non-agency MBS fell last year. (Includes two data tables.)

Investors are showing increased interest in securitizations of traditional home equity loans and home equity investments.

There was strong investor interest in Redwood Trust’s first issuance through the Aspire shelf, which focused on expanded-credit mortgages.

The investors claim the warehouse lenders and underwriters were aware of fraud at Tricolor, but ignored the warnings.

The $562.5 million offering is linked to a pool of loans with a total unpaid principal balance of $5.0 billion.

Kroll Bond Ratings Agency placed a 2024 transaction issued by Kobalt Music on watch for a potential downgrade because of the flagging performance of the underlying assets.

The SEC’s recent push to update disclosure requirements could prompt issuance of publicly-registered MBS.

Fannie Mae’s retained mortgage portfolio surpassed the size of Freddie Mac’s in January, a first since 2022 as Fannie is adding to its MBS holdings at a faster rate than Freddie.

Despite drifting slightly lower at yearend, bank holding companies in 2025 increased the volume of MBS and ABS held in trading accounts. (Includes two data tables.)

Figure Technology Solutions is working to facilitate originations and sales of first-lien mortgages, touting lower costs and modern technology compared with delivering loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.