Western Asset Management Company considering a sale of its non-agency REIT; Velocity offers another small-balance commercial MBS; PennyMac ramping up jumbo originations.

Non-agency lenders looking to sell mortgages with lower interest rates only have whole-loan sales as an outlet as MBS investors wait for new originations.

First Republic increased its originations for the second consecutive quarter thanks to a focus on jumbos. The bank puts an emphasis on customer service and benefits from having a portfolio to hold mortgages.

Sprout originated about half of the loans in a new $293.5 million expanded-credit MBS from an affiliate of Lone Star Funds. Fitch Ratings assessed the deal and suggested that risks tied to Sprout were limited.

Non-QMs are a double-edged sword for lenders, offering attractive margins along with extreme volatility risk. Industry analysts suggest demand for the loans in the secondary market will recover when lenders start selling mortgages with higher interest rates.

Expanded-credit MBS have been few and far between in July while non-agency MBS issuers have yet to offer a prime deal during the month.

Since December, interest rates have increased on both non-agency jumbos and conventional-conforming mortgages. But rates have increased by a lower amount on jumbos thanks to demand for the loans at banks.

Fitch corrects improper upgrade to non-agency credit-risk transfer transaction; RMF offers MBS with proprietary reverse mortgages; update on crypto mortgages; LoanScorecard broadens availability of bank statement analyzer.

Two prominent non-QM lenders ceased operations in the past two weeks amid weak demand for the loans. Still, other market participants are stressing that they remain in strong operating positions.

Shortly after lenders adjusted to QM standards set in December 2020, the CFPB is initiating a review of the standards. Significant changes appear unlikely, though the seasoned QM option could be eliminated.