Issuance of spec-pool MBS in the second quarter increased at a faster pace at Freddie than at Fannie. Pools of loans for Florida properties continued to be favored over loans from New York and Texas. (Includes data table.)

Urban Institute researchers say the mortgage industry will experience slightly better capital treatment as a result of the changes to the Basel III Endgame, but they recommend some improvements.

Economists note that the pricing of mortgage credit risk depends not only on the quality of the underlying mortgages but also on who ultimately bears that risk.

MBS investors are likely to charge a pay-up for securities backed by mortgages underwritten with VantageScore — at least until they’re confident prepayment speeds won’t accelerate.

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.

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

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

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.

A mortgage with a prepayment penalty might be as much as 65 basis points cheaper for borrowers, according to GSE shareholder Bill Ackman.