Slumping purchase-mortgage business in the agency MBS market was a big factor in the 6% downturn in total MBS-ABS-CMBS issuance in the first quarter of 2021. Agency business rebounded in March, however.

Securitizing mortgages can be expensive and recent PSPA changes might force the hand of smaller lenders, at least that’s how some trade groups see it. (Includes three data charts.)

Commercial banks, the Federal Reserve and foreign buyers remained the biggest investors in U.S. residential MBS, a market that saw Freddie and Fannie expand at Ginnie's expense. (Includes three data charts.)

February marked the fifth month in a row when agency MBS issuance topped $300 billion. Although purchase-mortgage business fell significantly, refi remained strong. (Includes two data charts.)

The Federal Reserve wants to continue buying agency MBS at its current pace, which should keep rates and spreads down for the foreseeable future.

Fannie and Freddie both grew their portfolios of whole loans targeted for the securitization process while reducing the amount of their own MBS holdings. (Includes data chart.)

So far, performance of the multifamily businesses of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2021 resembles 2020. It’s not clear if these similarities will persist.

Thanks to heavy consumer refi demand, the support of the Fed and muscular production by nonbanks, the agency single-family market pushed overall MBS/ABS issuance to record levels in 2020. (Includes three data charts.)

Freddie’s green loans have accounted for a cumulative savings of 827 million gallons in water consumed, and more than 152 million kilo-BTUs in energy savings. In raw cash terms, that comes to more than $11 million in savings per (multifamily) loan.