In another example of a REIT branching out, Starwood Property Trust has agreed to purchase a licensed lender/servicer. For now, all parties are mum but more deals may be afoot.

Compliance experts are warning warehouse lenders holding eNotes of the risks they face from certain ambiguities between the Uniform Commercial Code and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Ocwen Financial may have some MBS-related exposure, according to a new regulatory filing. Also, FHFA Director Mark Calabria opens up some more about the business practices of Fannie and Freddie.

Noting that not a single SEC-registered non-agency MBS has been issued since disclosure requirements were tightened in 2014, the regulator is planning to revisit the standards.

Redwood Trust’s investments have generated returns of around 12% so far this year. The REIT is increasing acquisitions of re-performing loan securities issued by Freddie Mac.

JPMorgan Chase for years issued relatively staid prime non-agency MBS but in the past year the firm has added more variety in its collateral.

Citadel Servicing, which played a key role in the rebirth of nonprime lending this decade, will have new owners soon. But will the firm finally tap the securitization market? Stay tuned.

An Australian nonbank lender is prepping a residential MBS deal with part of its senior tranche denominated in U.S. dollars. It is not the first time the nonbank has done so.

Fitch is including environmental, social and governance relevance scores as part of its ratings of securitized products. The scores help assess sustainability and ethics though they aren’t a major factor in credit ratings.

Presale reports for nine non-agency MBS backed by newly-originated loans were published halfway through October.