MORTGAGE DATA 30-yr. Fixed 15-yr. Fixed 5-yr Treasury 1-yr Treasury- MBA Refi Home Purchase Rate Mortgage Rate Mortgage Indexed ARMs Indexed ARMs Index Index Week ending 03/01/12 3.90%

Panelists discussed similar housing themes to those that were covered in 2011 at the ASF 2012 Future of U.S. Mortgage Finance panel.

There was much focus on the U.S. consumer at American Securitization Forum's (ASF) ASF 2012 held in Las Vegas.

It may be too early to declare who the winner is, but Bank of America's willingness to settle the $8.5 billion Countrywide suit hints at how big the litigation problem might be for mortgage originators in the courts today.

Monolines that have brought MBS lawsuits to court have used the same facts that class actions and put-back claims have made, but have used a different theory of law as a legal basis for their arguments.

If you are in a class action and someone is representing you, you have the right to "opt out" and bring your own action.

Put-back litigation continues to be a fight for information. Trustees might know that loans within the securitization pool are in breach, the question is whether they are willing to provide the information to investors who need it.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is changing the way it monitors the loan performance of its largest lenders as part of a rule to clarify and codify its indemnification practices.

This week's activity was largely dictated by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)statement released mid-day on Wednesday. The FOMC's statement effectively aligned the MBS stars: low rates, attractive carry and relative yield, along with increased odds of quantitative easing 3.

Fitch Ratings said specially serviced CMBS loans have been increasing since last quarter and are probably going to continue on this trend.

The law firm of Shearman & Sterling has named a new deputy head to its leveraged finance group.