Document automation led to an increase in non-QM lending and savings for theLender, according to a new case study by GoDocs.

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.

Some non-agency lenders will allow for investment-property mortgages underwritten based on the income generated by the property where the monthly rent doesn’t cover expenses for the property.

After more than a year of steady declines in delinquencies on securitized non-QMs, delinquency rates have fluctuated in recent months.

Non-agency MBS issuance nearly frozen; Redwood raises funds with debt sale; DBRS accepts more firms for due diligence.

Participants in the non-agency market note that the loans are more difficult to underwrite than typical agency mortgages. But given that agency refi business is falling, there’s still plenty of business to be had in the non-agency space.

Impac increased its emphasis on non-QM lending in the first quarter of 2022 and ended up taking a loss. Officials at the nonbank said hedging and other activities couldn’t overcome volatility in the non-QM market.

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.