Saluda Grade stocks non-agency MBS with second liens from Spring EQ; Futures Financial launches business-purpose lending operations; Knock Lending offering jumbos; Angel Oak partners with blockchain platform.

Prime non-agency MBS issuance declined by nearly 20% on a sequential basis in the first quarter of 2022. However, loanDepot nearly doubled its activity in the market during that span. (Includes three data charts.)

Originations of jumbo mortgages increased at First Republic Bank despite rising interest rates. Officials at the bank said a number of factors led to the nearly 20% increase in originations during the January-March cycle.

Investment-property mortgage volume delivered to the GSEs was flat on a sequential basis in the first quarter, second-home volume declined by 8.0% and conforming jumbo business fell 38.5%. (Includes data chart.)

Rising interest rates are leading to diminished demand for non-QM whole loans saddled with lower rates. Longer term, industry participants remain optimistic.

Issuance of non-agency MBS ground to a halt near the end of March but gained some momentum this week, led by prime deals.

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions had sued four former loan originators and LendSure Mortgage under the Georgia Trade Secret Act.

Redwood unveils bank-statement loans; Axos offering jumbos with deferred interest; Arc Home expands non-QM offerings; Homepoint starts construction financing; The Change Company raises equity; Vontive offering IPL platform.

The conduit started acquiring mortgages in mid-2021, with a focus on a limited number of lenders and relatively conservative credit standards.

Originations of adjustable-rate mortgages declined by 4.8% from the third to the fourth quarter and by 13.7% for the full year 2021. Bank of America was the top ARM producer. The loans largely remain in portfolio. (Includes data chart.)