A focus on refis of agency loans prompted a decline in non-QM lending at Impac in 2019. The lender will focus on non-QMs (again) this year.

Figure packaged a $149 million ABS backed by home-equity lines of credit that were originated and securitized using blockchain technology.

Toorak prices securitization backed by bridge loans; Redwood extends a warehouse line; Velocity provides a financial update; sales of luxury homes rose in 4Q19; PCMA launches product for investment properties.

Banks and thrifts increased their holdings of residential first liens by 4.1% in 2019. Among the top 10 banks, three reduced their portfolios. (Includes data chart.)

Having recently raised $8.0 million in capital, Quontic Bank plans to hold more mortgages in portfolio.

The performance of MBS and ABS looks likely to suffer, with delinquencies projected to increase and rating downgrades a possibility.

Investor demand for non-QMs plummeted in recent weeks due to fallout from the coronavirus. Some non-QM lenders have stopped originating loans and others are repricing their products.

DoubleLine is boosting investments in securitized products. The firm recently raised close to $1 billion for a fund aimed at MBS and ABS.

Out in California, Fremont Bank seems to be telling jumbo customers that if you really want a loan from them, you’re going to pay through the nose. On its website, jumbo pricing for Wednesday was set at 6.375%.

Some non-QM lenders are facing pricing issues as demand in the secondary market fluctuates. At least one wholesale lender has suspended originations.