Policies put in place during the pandemic prevent many small banks and credit unions from selling small-balance loans to the GSEs, which constrains mortgage lending in rural and low-income communities.

For MBS investors, the biggest complication in the GSEs’ implementation of VantageScore 4.0 is likely loan-level pricing adjustments.

The Treasury Market Practices Group released a white paper identifying how a change in the ownership structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could impact the broader financial markets.

The residential MBS market could see slumping production as interest rates climb and the housing market softens. Non-mortgage ABS issuance started the year strong, while CMBS production declined. (Includes three data tables.)

Some 68.0% of mortgages originated in 2025 were sold into MBS. Securitization rates were stable across most products, except for expanded-credit mortgages, where the securitization rate increased sharply. (Includes data table.)

One of the GSEs has quietly issued an MBS comprised of loans underwritten using VantageScore 4.0.

Since the U.S. initiated strikes on Iran, mortgage rates and MBS spreads have given up all the ground they gained from the Trump administration’s directive for the GSEs to purchase $200 billion in agency MBS.

The shift from senior subordinate securitizations to predominantly fully guaranteed securitizations is expected to increase revenues for Freddie’s multifamily business.

Pending proposals from the Fed would impact MBS market; Moody’s looks to rate securitizations of home equity loans.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appear to be using aggressive pricing at the cash window to boost whole loan purchases, then retaining the most attractive coupons.