Banks and thrifts held a record $2.11 trillion of residential MBS at the end of March as the pandemic began to mushroom. JPMorgan Chase upped its MBS by $52.9 billion in the first quarter.

The new FHFA-sponsored capital rule is finally here. But how long will it take for Fannie and Freddie to meet the standard before they can be released from conservatorship prison?

Certain nonbanks in the MBS market can tap liquidity through new borrowings but terms can be pricey. Case in point is New Residential.

Less than a week after dismissing the Arrowood case, Judge Margaret Sweeney released a previously sealed different decision in a related case.

Uncertainty regarding the performance of mortgages underlying its CRT in-vestments prompted PMT to boost the discount rate on its loans from just 5% at the end of the fourth quarter to about 11% as of March 31.

Agency MBS issuance declined modestly from the fourth quarter of 2019 to first quarter of this year. But volume soared abruptly in April, along with signs of COVID-19 stress. (Includes two data charts.)

Fannie and Freddie saw huge gains last month as total agency MBS issuance soared to an all-time record. Heavy refinance activity was the biggest factor. (Includes two data charts.)

Will the FHA hike premiums as a way to allay forbearance risk on Ginnie Mae-backed loans? Probably not, but it’s an option.

As the COVID-19 economic picture worsens, the GSEs are getting more discerning about what type of loans they will purchase.