MFA Financial made an investment in a non-QM lender, Starwood Property Trust is closing in on a similar move, and Western Asset Mortgage Capital expanded its purchase agreements.

Nonprime servicing portfolios fell by 0.7% in 4Q20 and 4.1% year-over-year. But Select Portfolio Servicing boosted its receivables during the year. (Includes data chart.)

A number of lenders have introduced new non-agency products with looser underwriting guidelines in recent weeks. Rocket and United Wholesale offered jumbos and Deephaven widened expanded-credit products.

Issuers of non-agency MBS brought four jumbo deals to the market this week. Some shops closed securitizations with esoteric collateral.

Ellington Financial and Credit Suisse are set to issue the first MBS with newly-originated non-QMs since the market was disrupted in March 2020.

After reducing its non-agency investments amid volatility from the coronavirus, Annaly is ready to ramp up activity in the sector. The REIT is acquiring non-QMs and packaging them into MBS.

Non-agency forbearance increases; personnel moves at Deephaven, Wells Fargo and Quontic; new non-agency MBS; a jumbo mortgage symposium; PCMA loosens standards for jumbo product.

Angel Oak Companies was the top supplier of expanded-credit mortgages securitized in 2020. Across the industry, volume was down in the fourth quarter and for the full year. (Includes three data charts.)

The CFPB’s acting director has asked bureau officials to explore options to maintain the status quo on QM standards with less than a month left before the new rule takes effect.

Originations of non-QMs tend to be more heavily weighted toward purchase mortgages than the broader mortgage origination market. Lenders are working to advise loan originators on the unique product offerings in the sector.