The biggest gain was in agency single-family MBS, as several large bank holding companies boosted their trading portfolios by $1 billion or more during the first quarter.

The Bank Term Funding Program has issued more than $100 billion in outstanding funding tied to agency MBS and Treasury securities held by banks.

Money-market funds were the most aggressive buyers of MBS during the first quarter, and analysts think demand from the sector will last. (Includes three data charts.)

Annaly Capital Management highlighted how environmental, social and governance principles factor into its activities. Leaders at the REIT said ESG analysis can help Annaly deliver “superior” returns.

The Federal Reserve has been paring its massive agency MBS portfolio, and banks have been on the sideline. Cue a modest rebound in REIT investment in the sector in the first quarter. (Includes data chart.)

Numerous industry participants support FHFA developing a social bond designation for single-family MBS issuance from the GSEs. There are lingering concerns about the impact on the agency MBS market and borrower privacy.

UBS exiting TBA trading business; Ginnie to increase servicing disclosures; Ellington to acquire Arlington.

With the Fed’s exit from the market and the push for shorter durations at banks, industry participants ponder what price agency MBS will clear at and what it will cost homebuyers.

The failures of SVB and Signature Bank were the major causes of another decline in aggregate bank MBS holdings, but the fair value of the industry's portfolio remains well below amortized cost. (Includes two data charts.)

In a recent trip to Asia, Ginnie officials assured investors that the structure of Ginnie MBS will help to protect them from any potential issues tied to a possible U.S. debt default.