The prime jumbo space saw the strongest rebound, with new issuance jumping 168.1% from the second to the third quarter.

Prime jumbo MBS production posted the biggest increase of any sector, rising 177% from the second quarter, while ECM securitization was up 14% in the third quarter. (Includes three data charts.)

The rapid growth in Freddie servicing during the third quarter stood in marked contrast to an unusual decline in the Ginnie market. Loan performance continued to improve. (Includes three data charts.)

While the supply of VA loans in Ginnie MBS continued to grow during the third quarter, the volume of securitized FHA forward mortgages fell 2.7% from the end of June.

Most loans are removed from Ginnie pools because the borrower paid off the loan. Then there's the matter of EBOs...

The previous record, $895.31 billion, was set in the third quarter of 2003.

At the same time, sales of refi loans in the highest-risk category fell 5.0%. Such loans have LTVs of 81% to 97% and FICO scores of 620 to 699.

Fannie and Freddie issued a whopping $705.7 billion of single-family MBS during the third quarter, smashing a record that had been on the books for 17 years. (Includes two data charts.)

The shift to lower-risk loans was particularly pronounced in the GSE refinance market, where streamlined property valuation was available for many mortgages. (Includes two data charts.)

California remained the top market for insured mortgage originations in the third quarter, though volume was up 16.6%, compared with a 19.1% increase nationwide. (Includes data chart.)