Securitization of reperforming and nonperforming mortgage loans fell sharply in the first quarter of 2022, along with softening in the prime non-agency MBS market. Expanded-credit issuance stayed strong. (Includes three data charts.)

In the secondary market, issuers have had to deal with diminished demand for mortgage products originated prior to the recent runup in interest rates. Is the worst behind the sector?

MBS-investing REITs continue to pay sweet dividends but the asset value of their holdings has come under pressure thanks to spiking interest rates. First-quarter earnings should be revealing.

Fannie’s CEO is set to retire. The GSE chair is departing as well; Waterfall Asset Management launches non-agency MBS with Ginnie EBOs; hurricanes impacting performance of solar ABS.

MBS and ABS tied to floating-rate assets could see rising delinquencies as interest rates increase. Inflation also remains a concern, though Fitch and Moody’s suggest that most deals can weather the storm.

Non-QM lending was supposed to be an industry bright spot this year, but unhedged loan pipelines are causing selected damage throughout the sector. One victim: Sprout Mortgage.

Secondary market player Maxex has received a new round of funding from its backers, but details are a bit light. The platform hopes to engage in more non-QM trading this year.

A new SEC proposal wouldn’t set climate-related disclosures for MBS and ABS, though such standards are still under consideration.

When originations fall, loan trading platforms suffer as well. Maxex, one of the more high-profile traders, recently instituted cuts.

Come April, LLPAs on Fannie/Freddie second-home mortgages and high-balance loans move higher. Good time for a nonbank to start a conduit?