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.

Following recent fraud issues in the ABS space, investors are looking for ways to improve fraud mitigation.

Ken Michlitsch, managing director of the alternative lending group at Morgan Stanley, said the ABS structure was designed to address the needs of both insurance clients and asset managers.

ECGI plans to test tokenization of residential mortgages with up to $10 million of collateral.

The subservicer is working to improve services for nonprime borrowers, by expanding payment options and availability of virtual agents.

Home equity investment deals propped up issuance of home equity loan securitizations in the fourth quarter. For the full year, HEL securitizations nearly doubled from 2024 levels. (Includes three data tables.)