A proposal by the FDIC to decrease disclosure requirements for certain non-agency MBS issued by banks largely found support from industry participants. However, MBS investors and consumer advocates raised concerns.
Several borrowers are opting for mortgages with balances right at the conforming loan limit even though interest rates on jumbos are often lower. Relatively tight underwriting standards for jumbos look to be the cause.
JPMorgan Chase Bank has created a synthetic credit-linked note to transfer credit risk on a pool of jumbo mortgages. Unlike traditional MBS, loans in the transaction will remain on the bank’s balance sheet.
Originations of higher-priced non-government mortgages increased by 11% in 2018. The loans can’t receive safe harbor QM status and many higher-priced mortgages are required to include escrow accounts. (Includes two data charts.)
Issuance of non-agency MBS slowed near the end of the third quarter but presale reports for a number of deals have been published this month and more securities are on the way.
Originations of reverse mortgages are dominated by FHA loans. However, there’s a loan limit on FHA loans, allowing Reverse Mortgage Funding and other lenders to develop a market for proprietary products.