Deals, trends and research in structured finance and asset-backed securities for the week of Sept. 18-24

Mortgage rates experienced a marginal uptick this week, rising three basis points. But they remained near record lows and possibly soon could track down again, according to Freddie Mac.

For decades lawmakers have ignored broad structural flaws in the National Flood Insurance Program, which underpins millions of home mortgages. And the problem is only getting worse.

The Charlotte, N.C., company recently closed on a sale of its Cohen Financial platform to SitusAMC.

Commercial real estate loans are vulnerable as financial assistance for tenants winds down and might not be fully renewed. Late rent payments could rise, leading lenders to press landlords to pay up.

Mortgage applications increased 6.8% from one week earlier as this summer's surprise purchase demand has carried over to the fall, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Some homeowners who sought relief as a result of COVID-19 may owe a lump sum when their forbearance period ends, according to a report from the Committee for Better Banks. The group is calling on banks to instead extend the repayment periods for affected customers.

Market conditions allowed for a larger bond issuance, as well as interest rate pricing that was less than half that of the coupons the captive-finance lender offered investors from its prior May issuance of auto loan asset-backed securities.

Commercial real estate companies are among those left out of the Federal Reserve’s middle-market relief program, but House members said they need government-backed financing to navigate the pandemic as much as anyone.

The percentage of borrowers who have asked to temporarily suspend payments due to coronavirus-related hardships is down overall, but in the Ginnie Mae market, they're still inching up.

The restrictions on the pooling of loans with any interest term based on Libor will be effective for traditional mortgage-backed securities issued starting Jan. 21, 2021, and earlier for reverse-mortgage securitizations.

More defaults will lead to an increase in distressed sales, and that will drive down prices, CoreLogic said.