Ginnie Mae guaranteed more than $216.9 billion in mortgage-backed securities during the first half of 2013, up 18.8 percent from the same period last year. Issuance was also up 8.0 percent in the second quarter from the first quarter, according to an Inside FHA Lending analysis of Ginnie Mae data. Not surprisingly, a significant share – $132.8 billion – of Ginnie Mae MBS issuances over the six-month period were backed by FHA loans. VA accounted for $72.1 billion while Rural Housing Service loans totaled $10.5 billion. Ginnie Mae issuances dropped during the first quarter but surged in the second quarter as ... [1 chart]

The two GSEs securitized $56 billion of home loans that included private MI coverage during the second quarter, a 12 percent jump from 1Q.

In general, mortgage applications are off 25 percent from their peak. Meanwhile, a Wells Fargo employee with an NMLS number has been arrested.

The jumbo MBS market has another new issuer: Nomura. But the credit enhancement on its first deal was increased due to geographic concentration risk.

Just as with the Perry GSE litigation, Fairholme’s suit demands that the Treasury amendment to the preferred stock purchase agreement be voided.

A year ago, only two to four bidders would show up for an MSR auction. But those days are long over.

The FHA is considering whether to establish a maximum limit for “unacceptable” loans as well as a process to make post-endorsement reviews more efficient.

As reported by Inside MBS & ABS earlier in the year, the two GSEs are sitting on large unrealized gains on some of their MBS holdings, including non-agency.

Need a zero-down mortgage for $650,000? Another Washington-area credit union steps up to the plate.

Agency MBS accounted for 98 percent of credit union investments in mortgage securities, according to Inside MBS & ABS.