CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says the relatively small size of the non-qualified-mortgage market is one of the reasons the bureau plans to change QM standards.

Congress is unlikely to increase the g-fee charged by the GSEs, though the FHFA may as part of efforts to “level the playing field” between the GSEs and the non-agency market.

Certain non-QM lenders’ underwriting tactics might not meet the CFPB’s ability-to-repay rule, according to Moody’s. It suggested tighter standards for bank statement mortgages and loans to the self-employed.

Annaly Capital Management and Ellington Financial are both generating double-digit returns from aggregating mortgages and issuing non-agency MBS. The firms plan to increase their activity in the sector.

Issuance of non-agency MBS backed by prime mortgages offers better returns than aggregating non-QMs, according to officials at Chimera Investment.

Presale reports for 13 non-agency MBS were published in the past two weeks as issuers sought to get deals into the market ahead of the Structured Finance Association’s annual conference.

SEC to meet MBS issuers; HPS acquires Citadel; Anworth plans non-QM MBS; Quontic streamlines non-QM refis; Ocwen takes a loss on servicing for New Residential.

The bureau’s plan to replace the QM patch could reduce the volume of mortgages that flow into the non-agency market, according to analysts. The CFPB is working to avoid disruption to GSE-eligible originations.

First Republic Bank enjoyed a record year for originations while jumbo production declined at Flagstar Bank and Axos Financial. The banks noted that competition suppressed originations.