For the first time, Freddie was able to charge a higher average g-fee for new single-family business during the fourth quarter of 2019. Pricing disparity was a key driver in the development of the uniform MBS.

The wholesale-broker market was the fastest-growing production channel in 2019 and reached its strongest annual volume since the financial crisis. Retail saw bigger gains in the fourth quarter as refinance volume spiked. (Includes six data charts.)

The increase in agency MBS from December to January came from the Ginnie program, which has a slower securitization process than Fannie and Freddie. And some loans may have been held back to benefit from higher loan limits. (Includes two data charts.)

In late 2019, conventional-conforming originations hit their highest quarterly volume since the epic 2003 mortgage market. Government lending wasn't far behind.

In late 2019, conventional-conforming originations hit their highest quarterly volume since the epic 2003 mortgage market. Government lending wasn't far behind. (Includes two data charts.)

Independent mortgage bankers became the largest source of new single-family loans for Fannie and Freddie MBS in 2019, while significantly expanding their share of the GSE servicing market. (Includes data chart.)

NewRez, Lakeview and Mr. Cooper ranked as the top bulk buyers of agency servicing in 2019. Coissuance volume was flat in the fourth quarter despite a rise in overall agency securitization. (Includes three data charts.)

The drop in total CLO production last year resulted from a decline in refi transactions. Issuance of new deals was up 15% from 2018 to 2019. (Includes data chart.)

Lakeview Loan Servicing capped a years-long ascent up the ranking of Ginnie Mae servicers thanks largely to bulk MSR purchases and acquisitions through co-issuance arrangements. (Includes four data charts.)

Average credit scores, DTI ratios and LTV ratios haven’t loosened much in the past two years as expanded-credit MBS issuance soared. The investment-property share of MBS issuance is also on the rise. (Includes three data charts.)