The Maxex mortgage platform will now connect originators with non-agency buyers of agency-eligible mortgages for investment properties and second homes.

Investors greeted “at-the-market” equity offerings by REITs fairly well last year. One analyst described the activity as “defensive” capital raises that strengthen the balance sheet.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former research strategist at UBS in a whistleblower protection case under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The ruling has an impact on employee protections well beyond UBS.

Some analysts argue that, with traditional lenders shying away from the CRE sector, CMBS financing stands to gain market share.

Huntington National Bank is in the market with its first auto ABS since 2016. The bank completed a credit-risk transfer transaction in late December involving a $3.0 billion pool of auto loans.

Purchasing Power partners with employers to offer employees funds for purchases of appliances, electronics and furniture. The firm doesn’t charge interest on the loans. Instead, prices on the items are marked up.

Annaly Capital Management is preparing to issue a rare non-agency MBS stocked solely with bank-originated adjustable-rate mortgages. Loans in the MBS were originated by Associated Bank.

A look back at prior interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve suggests that agency MBS outperform competing assets in that environment.

Credit unions have found a way to unload low-coupon agency-quality mortgages through participation deals. MIAC is working on a $100 million transaction.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is working to establish a process that would allow the regulator to alter the ratings assigned to certain MBS and ABS held by insurance companies.