Nearly all the firms in a group of 30 servicers increased their jumbo portfolio in 2019. Chase and Truist were the only ones to see a decrease. (Includes data chart.)

More trouble for Sterling: DOJ is now investigating the bank’s non-qualified-mortgage origination practices.

A focus on refis of agency loans prompted a decline in non-QM lending at Impac in 2019. The lender will focus on non-QMs (again) this year.

Figure packaged a $149 million ABS backed by home-equity lines of credit that were originated and securitized using blockchain technology.

Toorak prices securitization backed by bridge loans; Redwood extends a warehouse line; Velocity provides a financial update; sales of luxury homes rose in 4Q19; PCMA launches product for investment properties.

Banks and thrifts increased their holdings of residential first liens by 4.1% in 2019. Among the top 10 banks, three reduced their portfolios. (Includes data chart.)

Having recently raised $8.0 million in capital, Quontic Bank plans to hold more mortgages in portfolio.

Presale reports for three deals backed by new originations were published this week. However, there’s uncertainty about how they will be received by investors due to market volatility related to the coronavirus.

The retail channel, which is the predominant source of jumbo originations, gained market share from the correspondent channel last year. (Includes data chart.)

Investors that are active in the market for non-QMs can’t seem to get enough of the loans or MBS. Meanwhile, large firms continue to avoid the sector due to concerns about liabilities and the lack of uniformity.