The RMBS rating business nearly ground to a halt in the fourth quarter, but ECM was the place to be in 2022. ABS fared a little better, with business-finance and consumer deals showing relative strength. (Includes two data charts.)

What ails the mortgage market? Answer: high interest rates. But would creating more MBS buyers ease the pain? At this point, it’s an academic equation.

Agency MBS industry insiders recently discussed specified pools, prepayment rates, home price growth and problems with ESG investing.

After undertaking drastic leadership changes in December, Chimera is now looking to expand its investments beyond reperforming loans.

FINRA said the implementation of the amended Rule 4210 can’t take place until the SEC formally rescinds a 2022 stay.

After playing defense in 2022, investors appear to be willing to deploy capital even as the MBS and ABS markets face numerous headwinds. Attendance at this week’s SFVegas conference hit a record level.

Investors are pleased that FHFA has improved the capital treatment of commingled securities. The overall industry response to the proposed rule change, though, has been a resounding “meh.”

The mortgage servicing rights market has been incredibly volatile lately, Ginnie Mae President Alanna McCargo told attendees at SFVegas.

Global conflicts top of mind at SFVegas; ESG and credit risk; no housing-finance reform expected when the sun’s out; Ginnie looking to fill COO position; American Car Center’s subprime ABS under review.

Freddie Mac saw a big fourth-quarter increase in Supers issuance that appeared to make up for lost ground earlier in the year. All three agencies posted declines in new REMIC production in the fourth quarter. (Includes two data charts.)