Originations of both ARMs and IOs increased in the fourth quarter and in all of 2019. Growth among IO lenders even outpaced the increase in total first-lien originations. (Includes two data charts.)

Non-QM MBS forum delayed; Patch rebrands as Noah and continues to offer home-equity sharing product; originations up and income down at fix-and-flip lender Sachem Capital in 2019; Anchor Loans taps former Radian executive as COO; Velocity late filing annual report due to coronavirus.

As the financial impact of the coronavirus spreads, some lenders have suspended non-QM originations and others have repriced products.

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.

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

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.