Flush with deposits, U.S. banks are buying up mortgage bonds and betting that the asset class will get a further boost in 2026 from relaxed capital rules.Late last year, commercial bank holdings of mortgage paper reached the highest level since 2023, and stood at more than $2.7 trillion toward the end of December, according to […]
Banks snatch up MBS that notched best returns since 2002 Read More »
The spread between the 10-year Treasury yields and 30-year fixed mortgage rates tightened at the end of 2025, largely driven by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increasing their holdings of mortgage-backed securities, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods report claimed. Processing Content But a bigger picture issue overhanging the increase in portfolio size is should the
Mortgage spreads are narrowing, but for which reason? Read More »
The will to explore a new move that will put the government-sponsored enterprises on a path to be recapitalized and released from conservatorship exists; the question now is how, when and if. Processing Content All that could depend on whether the Trump administration is willing to make investor concessions and offer new shares, according to
Some paths to recap and release longer than others: Wedbush Read More »
Enjoy complimentary access to top ideas and insights — selected by our editors.Want unlimited access to top ideas and insights? Subscribe Now As the residential mortgage industry looks forward to the New Year, I have some wish list items which could make a big difference to mortgage lenders and consumers alike. Sadly, the Trump Administration
A mortgage wish list for 2026 Read More »
For the mortgage industry, 2025 is likely to go down as the year of the big deal. But that could be a temporary title as some experts expect the consolidation wave to continue in the new year. Still among the biggest of the big: But what might have been the most celebrated deal of all,
Mortgage mergers and acquisitions in 2025 Read More »
Three U.S. senators opened an inquiry into insurance ratings firm Demotech and whether its assessments may be exposing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — and ultimately taxpayers — to growing risks tied to climate-driven insurer failures. Processing Content In a letter sent Tuesday to Fannie Mae acting Chief Executive Officer Peter Akwaboah and Freddie Mac CEO Kenny Smith,
Lawmakers launch probe into key insurance rating firm in Florida Read More »
Federal Home Loan Bank members’ borrowing as a share of total assets increased in stressed environments but the majority did not see excessive increases like Silvergate’s, the Government Accountability Office found. Processing Content Former warehouse lender-turned-crypto specialist, Silvergate Bank, was an outlier in increasing its ratio 33% just before the 2023 crisis which led to
FHLB borrowing share stayed range-bound in 2023 for most Read More »
Fannie Mae revised its 2026 mortgage expectations marginally upward, with borrower interest in refinances, in particular, more likely to provide opportunities following the more muted activity of the past few years. Processing Content In its December housing outlook, the government-sponsored enterprise increased its forecasted volume for total originations next year to $2.37 trillion after a
Fannie Mae ups mortgage originations outlook Read More »
Non-qualified mortgages have been driving private-label securities in recent years, representing nearly half of the market in 2025, and they and other PLS loan types are poised for further growth going into 2026. Processing Content This part of the residential mortgage-backed securities market has been on track to break a record in 2025 with a
Private-label RMBS set for biggest year since crisis Read More »
Senate confirmations have officially filled key leadership posts at Department of Housing and Urban Development entities, ending formal vacancies that have taken most of the year to fill. Processing Content Ginnie Mae President Joe Gormley and Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Frank Cassidy are industry veterans that have been serving in acting roles for much of
Senate confirms key leaders at Ginnie Mae, FHA Read More »