Purchase-mortgage volume in agency MBS issued in the first quarter of 2026 was essentially flat compared with the first quarter of 2025.

Locks for purchase mortgages increased by 22.9% on a monthly basis in March, according to Mortgage Capital Trading.

“This combination of credit quality, yield and rate protection has drawn interest from asset managers, insurance companies and hedge funds,” said Adam Beeler, global head of strategic partnerships and new business development at Angel Oak Capital Advisors.

Multiple GSE officials told Inside The GSEs that no changes have been made to their selling guides regarding crypto assets, even with a splashy planned mortgage product from Better Home & Finance.

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.37% as of Thursday, down from 6.46% the week prior, according to Freddie Mac.

The promotion is available for borrowers with credit scores of 700 or above, for conventional mortgages and government-insured loans.

The new guidelines, which go into effect Aug. 6, require seller/servicers to have clear policies in place to mitigate the risks posed by this technology and to ensure it complies with existing laws and regulations.

loanDepot has already been originating both HELOCs and closed-end second liens.

Banks sold $125.65 billion of mortgages during the fourth quarter of 2025.

“There are hundreds of thousands more home sellers in the market than buyers because buyers have been spooked by high mortgage rates, high prices and economic uncertainty,” Redfin said.