Federal entities should take steps to boost the non-agency market, according to the MBA. Meanwhile, FHFA isn’t necessarily looking to shrink the GSEs’ footprint.
Rating services disagree over the validity of a National Association of Insurance Commissioners report that highlighted differences in private ratings based on the size of the ratings provider.
Originations of nonconforming mortgages increased by 45.7% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2025. Government-insured lending was up 13.5% and conventional-conforming activity treaded water. (Includes two data tables.)
Interest rates on mortgages are elevated, suppressing demand. Short periods of declines in interest rates have prompted surges in loan applications. The question remains: When will interest rates do down?
FHFA Director Bill Pulte plans to announce actions that will address the costs associated with credit scores. Mortgage trade groups are providing feedback, hoping to shape the effort.
“There are lots of risks to the downside if this is not done in a deliberate way,” said Libby Cantrill, a managing director and head of public policy at PIMCO.