First Republic’s servicer rating downgraded; Moon Mortgage offering jumbos with qualification based on cryptocurrency holdings; DBRS adds due diligence provider to “acceptable” list; Utah loosens age requirement for proprietary reverse mortgages.

The bank has been addressing fraud in its non-QM program since late 2019. The cleanup has involved fines, settlements, buybacks and the departure of more than 100 officers and employees.

Velocity Financial’s focus on non-agency business-purpose loans paid off in 2022. The lender’s income increased even as originations declined.

Altisource Asset Management is now originating bridge loans and non-agency mortgages for investment properties. The firm has agreements to sell whole loans to insurance companies and asset managers.

The non-QM share of Impac’s originations increased significantly in 2022. Still, its margins declined due to competition among lenders for non-QMs and weak demand for the loans in the secondary market.

Non-agency MBS issuance slows; Fund That Flip forms REIT for bridge loans; Arc Home hires Sprout’s former chief production officer.

Originations of non-QMs and other expanded-credit products increased in 2022 while total mortgage originations declined. Citi was the top expanded-credit producer during the year.

Rising interest rates and fickle demand in the secondary market made it difficult to originate non-QMs in 2022. The hope among industry participants is that volatility will recede.

Non-QM lenders and MBS issuers are making adjustments amid a volatile secondary market. Issues include timing for MBS issuance and competition for new production.

Among a group of 20 prominent nonprime servicers, portfolio balances increased by 0.3% during the fourth quarter of 2022. Prepayment rates on non-QMs are low and delinquencies are rising.