The California bank joins the growing ranks of lenders offering innovative home-equity products to help borrowers counter rising interest rates.

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.

An affiliate of Bayview Asset Management issued an MBS with small-balance commercial properties in May, marking the first issuance of its type from the firm since September 2020.

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

The expanded-credit market was the only sector to see originations increase in the first quarter. The products accounted for 2.2% of total mortgage originations. (Includes data chart.)

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.

Non-agency originations of higher-priced mortgages increased by nearly 60% on an annual basis in 2021. The top lenders include a mix of expanded-credit producers and lenders that focus on manufactured homes. (Includes two data charts.)

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.