Jumbos accounted for 9.2% of total first-lien originations in the first quarter of 2021, a slight improvement from 4Q20, but nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels. (Includes data chart.)

A reduction in GSE refi business along with regulatory changes are expected to prompt an increase in originations of non-agency mortgages. The bulk of the increase could come from prime loans.

Some 15.5% of applications for jumbo mortgages in 2020 were denied by lenders. Among individual funders, denial rates ranged from a low of 1% to north of 50%. (Includes data chart.)

A flurry of non-agency MBS hit the market; the number of non-agency mortgages in forbearance increases; SFA raises concerns about CFPB’s proposal to establish a partial foreclosure moratorium; SFA to set up data tape task force; Sachem Capital generates $2.2 million of net income in 1Q21; new industry hires.

At least until October 2022, jumbo lenders can use either the long-standing qualified mortgage standards or the new, more flexible standards.

Guaranteed Rate sold $5.55 billion of jumbo mortgages to unaffiliated buyers in 2020, nearly three times the volume of second-ranked Quicken Loans. (Includes two data charts.)

Near the end of April, Chase and Redwood were marketing large jumbo MBS. Also, Citi returned to the sector for the first time since 2014.

Redwood Trust nearly doubled its net income in the first quarter, helped by the quick aggregation and sale of jumbo mortgages.

Non-QM impairments decline; non-agency forbearance rate improves; non-agency reverse mortgage lender settles with CFPB; Redwood paying for its employees’ MI; PCMA partners with various advisors.

Prime non-agency MBS issuance continued to flow in April, helped by some new players. Expanded-credit activity has been limited recently, with a downturn in demand.