Agency pass-through MBS remain the most popular asset in bank holding company trading accounts, but there was a sharp increase in agency multifamily securities during the third quarter.

The securitization rate for residential mortgages hit an estimated 68.6% in the third quarter, as more conventional-conforming loans flowed into GSE MBS.

The new bonds help the GSEs reduce the amount of capital they must set aside under the enterprise regulatory capital framework.

Rising mortgage delinquencies increase spreads on residential MBS, as expected, along with spreads on credit card, student loan and auto loan ABS.

The fastest-growing sectors of the MBS market in the third quarter were Ginnie Mae and the non-agency market. Banks, foreign investors, money managers and insurance companies easily offset the slow decline in the Fed’s portfolio. (Includes two data tables.)

Some experts think FHFA’s stability capital buffer has helped Freddie surpass Fannie in both loan purchases and securitizations.

The largest mortgage asset exchange will bring trended data to hundreds of lenders and investors.

The final rule will allow lenders to disburse up to 1% of FHA-endorsed multifamily construction loan proceeds before borrower-provided funds are fully exhausted.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said the new early-buyout securitization would provide issuers more liquidity in times of stress.

At yearend, traders and lenders are trying to get a handle on the direction of interest rates, with geopolitical events potentially playing a larger role than originally thought.