Issuance of residential MBS was up 11.9% in the third quarter, thanks to a decline in interest rates that sparked increased refinance activity and bolstered purchase-mortgage lending. (Includes three data tables.)
Fed researchers say most mortgages will remain out of the money for the foreseeable future, which means redemptions of MBS in the Fed’s portfolio may remain below the cap of $35 billion per month.
Initial estimates on Hurricane Helene’s impact; Ginnie to host summit with a focus on nonbanks; MSR financing securitization from Freedom; T-Mobile moves forward with cell phone financing ABS.
FINRA received approval from the SEC to shorten reporting requirements for most trades of MBS and ABS from within 15 minutes to within one minute of a deal having transpired.
It’s been a quiet year when it comes to new stock issuance from mortgage REITs. But thanks to the Fed trimming rates by 50 basis points, with another 50 bps in cuts expected, activity could pick up markedly.
Insurance companies are making a splash in the MBS market, as a number of different investor classes are tapping the agency — and non-agency — sectors. (Includes two data tables.)
In the short term, there could be some volatility in the agency MBS market as investors adjust to the Fed’s moves. Longer term, volatility is expected to recede, helping investors in agency MBS.