ABS Issuance Surpasses 1999 Levels

Despite skepticism from the financial press, asset-backed issuance for 2000 has passed 1999 levels, and the market still shows no signs of slowing down.

As of Nov. 27, year-to-date new issuance totals were $198.6 billion, compared to the full-year 1999 total of $197.3, according to researchers at Banc of America Securities. That didn't include the additional $4 billion in issuance that priced last week. Reaction among market observers was mixed.