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.

Rising interest rates had a major impact on non-agency MBS issuance in the second quarter, with volume down nearly 40% on a sequential basis. Expanded-credit MBS issuance held up better than prime volume, though the ECM sector is now in turmoil. (Includes data chart.)

Western Alliance Bank sold first-loss exposure on a pool of mortgages with an unpaid principal balance of $3.88 billion. The mortgages were acquired from various correspondent sellers and include many non-agency jumbos.

PRP Advisors issued its first non-agency MBS with newly originated mortgages for investment properties. To this point, Balbec’s non-agency MBS issuance has focused on seasoned mortgages.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency published a report focusing on mortgages originated by CDFIs and their inclusion in non-agency MBS. The Change Company defended its practices while Quontic Bank stopped offering “no ratio” loans.

Spreads on expanded-credit MBS issuance have widened significantly this year as lenders sell mortgages originated prior to the runup in interest rates. Issuance has slowed but market participants are optimistic in the long term.

A handful of real estate investment trusts acquired non-QMs at a discount as interest rates increased during the first quarter. Lenders selling the loans took some losses but appear to have weathered the storm.

MFA Financial took a large loss in the first quarter as rising interest rates reduced the value of non-QMs on the REIT’s balance sheet. Lima One, a business-purpose lender now owned by MFA, was a bright spot.

Barclays sourced many of the mortgages in the MBS from Invigorate Finance, an aggregator founded in March 2021.

Originations at Velocity Financial increased in the first quarter despite an increase in interest rates. The lender’s income declined, though much of the drift was tied to a refi of corporate debt that could be beneficial in the long term.