The SEC’s Office of Credit Ratings is exploring how it can address conflicts of interest in ratings of MBS and ABS. An increase in performance-related disclosures and boosting unsolicited ratings are being considered.

Cherry Hill, a Freedom Mortgage-affiliated REIT, likes the non-QM market but isn’t ready to jump in the pond. Maybe in 2021?

Investor demand for MBS and ABS is high but then uncertainty is also increasing, which could prompt more issuance earlier in the year.

Federal regulators should make changes to capital requirements that would allow banks to complete credit-risk transfer transactions similar to the deals issued by the GSEs, according to industry participants.

The issue of allowing nonbanks into the FHLB System hasn’t gone away. A new RFI on the concept will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers.

Alternative data, machine learning, blockchain and document digitalization in securitization deals have the potential to improve credit quality, but they are untested and come with risks, says Moody’s.

Fitch Ratings expects the SOFR to become the most commonly used index post-LIBOR for new residential mortgage assets.

A noticeable increase in warehouse credit to non-QM originators is bolstering both lending volumes and MBS creation. Another positive: better terms for nonbank borrowers.

Merge Fannie and Freddie, says Mayor (Candidate) Bloomberg; Also: Amherst wants to buy Front Yard REIT.

Presale reports for 12 non-agency MBS backed by new originations have been published this month, led by seven expanded-credit products.