Non-QMs offer the promise of strong margins and a product to replace refinance volume. They also account for a miniscule portion of mortgage originations.

Non-agency MBS hit the market ahead of Thanksgiving; rating upgrades possible with new commercial MBS methodology at Moody’s; timeshare securitization performance stable; Fitch extends comment period for proposed criteria to rate shipping container ABS; California launches tobacco-settlement securitization.

First Republic Bank also stands out among the 30 companies: Its jumbo servicing portfolio increased by 4.2%...

Mortgage originations held steady despite an uptick in interest rates.

Market watchers believe the activity was driven, in part, by exceptional home price appreciation and more interest in the sector among lenders.

The top contributor to the MBS is ACC Mortgage with a 24.3% share...

Originations of non-agency jumbo mortgages increased by 6.3% from the second to the third quarter. Wells Fargo remained the top jumbo lender, while three firms in the top 10 posted declines. (Includes data chart.)

MFA Financial posted a sharp increase in income, driven by its focus on buying non-agency mortgages and its acquisition of Lima One, a business-purpose lender.

AG Mortgage Investment Trust more than doubled its net income in the third quarter as it shifted its focus to non-agency mortgages. AGMIT is sourcing many of its mortgage acquisitions from an affiliated lender.

Servicing of jumbo mortgages increased at most of the 30 top firms in the sector during the third quarter. However, top-ranked Wells Fargo bucked the trend. (Includes data chart.)