The loans in the new Redwood deal have the strong characteristics associated with jumbos, including an average credit score of 766 and a combined loan-to-value ratio of almost 71 percent.
Moodys believes the servicers transitions into mortgage originations was positive, but raised concerns about declining refinance opportunities, competition with banks and the potential for nonprime originations.
At press time, there were reports circulating that one mid-sized nonbank planning to enter the correspondent acquisition market had pulled the plug and laid off staff. The firm is expected to talk to IMFnews Thursday morning.