MFA Financial took another loss in the second quarter as its holdings of non-QMs lost value and MBS with the loans was met with weak demand. The nonbank’s business-purpose lending unit also took a loss.
Western Alliance Bank sold first-loss exposure on a pool of mortgages with an unpaid principal balance of $3.88 billion. The mortgages were acquired from various correspondent sellers and include many non-agency jumbos.
Bank and thrift holdings of first-lien mortgages increased in the first quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan trimmed their portfolios. (Includes data chart.)
Trends varied among the largest servicers of jumbo mortgages in the first quarter. Portfolios increased overall while the top two jumbo servicers reduced their portfolios. (Includes data chart.)
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.
While non-agency MBS issuance was essentially level in the first quarter of 2022, there was some movement among servicers in the sector. Servicing activity at Cenlar and UWM dropped, while Shellpoint and smaller servicers increased their market share. (Includes data chart.)
Banks and thrifts held $2.23 trillion of first liens at the end of the year, up 1.7% from the end of September. Trends varied considerably among the megabanks. (Includes data chart.)
Firms active in nonprime servicing increased their portfolios by 7.5% on an annual basis in 2021. Servicers also are turning to loan modifications as forbearance plans end. (Includes data chart.)
While delinquencies on non-QMs spiked in the early days of the pandemic, many of those borrowers returned to making payments or cured their debt without the loan holders suffering large losses.