Agency securitization of purchase loans looks to have turned a corner in March, with volume rising 13.5% from February.

Purchase-mortgage volume at Ginnie Mae increased by 13.9% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2024.

The agency single-family MBS market is the main driver of structured finance issuance, but it recorded a decline in first-quarter production while ABS, commercial MBS and non-agency RMBS posted gains. (Includes three data tables.)

The refinance market is showing signs of life — especially in the government-insured sector — and total agency MBS issuance in the first quarter was up from a year ago. (Includes two data tables.)

Earnings from both originations and servicing took another hit in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The industry’s aggregate trading-account portfolio, which is measured in fair value, has been growing since the start of 2022.

Most lender buybacks are linked to mortgage-backed securities issued within the past two years.

As the historic mortgage boom fades into the past, buyback claims from the GSEs have declined. The biggest downturn has been at Freddie. (Includes three data tables.)

With barely any refinance activity, the seasonal housing slowdown showed overcapacity in production platforms that squashed profitability. (Includes data table.)

Bank holding companies reported a solid 5.0% increase in agency MBS held in trading accounts during the fourth quarter. But non-agency MBS and non-mortgage ABS holdings were down. (Includes two data tables.)