Issuance of prime jumbo non-agency MBS was up in 2020 despite a soft fourth quarter, but the expanded-credit mortgage sector lagged, as did securitization of reperforming loans. (Includes three data charts.)

Three new non-agency MBS were introduced in the market recently. Two of the deals are backed by mortgages for investment properties.

Securitization of non-qualified mortgages is generating healthy profits. However, issuers face a dilemma: Originations of the product have slowed.

Issuers of prime non-agency MBS are completing deals with mortgages originated after the market volatility of March while expanded-credit MBS continue to be stocked with older loans.

Demand for non-QM MBS has returned to pre-pandemic levels even though the deals include a significant amount of loans in forbearance and fewer protections for investors.

Following in the footsteps of Citi and JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo is preparing to issue a non-qualified mortgage MBS. The bank plans to securitize small pools of its non-agency originations on a regular basis.

Mortgage firms continue to sell debt at a healthy clip. Is there any end in sight? Not right now. The latest participant: Sachem Capital.

The security will be backed by non-qualified mortgages originated by A&D Mortgage, an affiliated lender.

Issuance of expanded-credit MBS was expected to remain suppressed after volatility in March halted activity. After a strong second quarter, industry analysts revised their projections.

Hoping to buy non-QMs on the cheap for an upcoming securitization? Forget it. The bargains are all gone. The good news: New lending is increasing from severely muted levels.