The MBA advanced a proposal to limit the tri-merge requirements on GSE mortgages to applicants with credit scores below 700, in an effort to reduce the cost of originating loans. Some argue that the real problem is pulling scores for borrowers who are never going to qualify for a mortgage.

Kenny Smith worked at Deloitte for more than 25 years before retiring in 2020. He isn’t well known among mortgage industry participants.

Fannie recently considered strengthening its net worth requirements for large nonbank issuers.

Fannie’s MBS holdings spiked to $54.65 billion as of the end of the month.

The growing securities holdings in Fannie’s retained mortgage portfolio include a large share of non-Fannie agency MBS.

Treasury researchers develop new measures to predict interest rates on mortgages using shifts in MBS prices.

Long-time industry analyst Chris Whalen said the GSE plans to disqualify some types of capital from use to calculate net worth.

Among the 10 largest sellers, GSE volume increased on a monthly basis outside of the top three firms.

Beginning March 3, seller/servicers that use artificial intelligence or machine language in the origination of loans sold to Freddie must ensure those systems comply with applicable law.

UWM, Rocket and Pennymac all sold fewer mortgages to the GSEs in November than in October. That contributed to a 1.3% monthly decline in GSE MBS issuance. (Includes two data tables.)