Profits at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac weathered a steady decline in mortgage purchases and shrinking mortgage holdings. (Includes data table.)

Commercial banks posted a surprising increase in MBS holdings during the fourth quarter, while foreign investors, money managers, life insurers and credit unions also grew their portfolios. (Includes three data tables.)

The diversification inherent in MBS may be the ideal tool to combat climate risk in housing finance.

Rate-term refinances still account for a relatively small share of total agency MBS production, but volume jumped 22% from December to January. Many top sellers shifted more of their business to Fannie. (Includes two data tables.)

Annaly Capital Management is preparing to issue a rare non-agency MBS stocked solely with bank-originated adjustable-rate mortgages. Loans in the MBS were originated by Associated Bank.

Declining multifamily valuations are pushing up capitalization rates while reducing debt service coverage ratios.

Bank of America issued a resecuritization this week tied to a 2017 multifamily K-deal. It’s the first rated issuance of its kind from BofA since 2016. The new resecuritization received an A- rating.

New attributes will give investors a better understanding of the status and pace of MBS prepayments.

Securitization rates increased for GSE-eligible loans, government-insured mortgages and non-agency mortgages. While bank demand for jumbos is declining, the vast majority of the loans don’t go into MBS. (Includes data table.)

Ginnie remained the fastest growing player in the MBS market in the third quarter. Mutual funds, money-market funds and insurance companies continue to play important roles in demand for single-family MBS. (Includes two data tables.)