The retention rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was the strongest since 2014, thanks to falling interest rates. Retention was especially strong among recently originated loans, ICE found.
Across every demographic, Americans want to be homeowners, but there are numerous barriers to getting there, with rising inflation, mortgage rates, home prices and even increasing rents.
Holdings of first-lien mortgages at commercial banks and savings institutions increased just 0.3% from the end of the third quarter to the fourth. All of the increase was driven by a 14.6% jump in holding of adjustable-rate mortgages. (Includes data table.)
Though the value of bitcoin has dropped sharply in recent months, mortgage lenders allowing borrowers to use the crypto holding to qualify for home purchases are bullish on the product.