MBS investors are likely to charge a pay-up for securities backed by mortgages underwritten with VantageScore — at least until they’re confident prepayment speeds won’t accelerate.

Some large banks repositioned their portfolios to favor Ginnie pass-throughs during the first quarter of 2026, and several regional banks closed mergers that grew their MBS holdings. (Includes two data tables.)

Ginnie Mae President Joe Gormley said changes to the loss-mitigation policies for loans backed by FHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs revealed that some issuers had higher exposure to riskier loans.

New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has long criticized the size of the Fed’s balance sheet, in particular, its massive holdings of agency MBS.

Excluding a one-off $5.69 billion issuance from Chase, securitization of home equity loans declined during the first quarter. Activity involving closed-end second liens held up while HELOC issuance fell. (Includes three data tables.)

Without much relief in sight for borrowers’ pockets, the industry expects growth in non-agency securitizations from loans priced with higher risk premiums by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The auto and unsecured loan sectors are facing headwinds, while the credit card sector has a more stable outlook.

Consolidation among rights holders of music royalties will lead to less issuance but should boost deal performance as issuers will have more diversified asset pools, according to KBRA.

Issuance of non-agency CMBS was up 13% from the fourth quarter to $41 billion, including big gains in retail, office and multifamily. But agency multifamily MBS production fell 22%. (Includes two data tables.)

Onity revised the terms of its sale of home equity conversion mortgage servicing rights to Finance of America Reverse after receiving feedback from Ginnie Mae.