February marked the fifth month in a row when agency MBS issuance topped $300 billion. Although purchase-mortgage business fell significantly, refi remained strong. (Includes two data charts.)

The Federal Reserve wants to continue buying agency MBS at its current pace, which should keep rates and spreads down for the foreseeable future.

The Structured Finance Association is working with members of Congress on a potential bill to help facilitate the transition away from the scandal-scarred LIBOR.

The CFPB proposed extending the GSE “patch” through September 2022 while new leadership at the regulator considers revisions to the general QM standards.

The government-sponsored enterprise plans to issue $3 billion to $5 billion in MBS based on pools of reperforming loans with principal forbearance this year.

Auto ABS issuance dropped 9% in COVID-marred 2020, compared with a 40% decline seen during the 2007-2009 crisis, according to S&P.

COVID-19-related payment relief plans continued to put pressure on student loan ABS. S&P recently lowered its ratings on many FFELP student loan ABS maturing in the next three years to speculative grade.

All hail a new mortgage benchmark. Meanwhile, a CEO takes aim at some competitors.

Industry-wide REIT MBS holdings expanded just 0.6% during the fourth quarter, a sharp slowdown from the growth rates in the prior two quarters. (Includes data chart.)