RMBS

Two and a half years ago, regulators opened the door for rating agencies to offer ratings or commentary on credits even when they haven't been hired to do so. Since then, all NRSROs can access detailed transaction data that issuers are required to post on designated issuer Web sites. The intended effect: a side market in unsolicited ratings and commentary. The actual effect: not a single unsolicited rating and roughly 15 commentaries.

It has been more than nine months since Sekerbank introduced Turkey to covered bonds, and no one else has followed suit.

The expected increase in mortgage prepayments following changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP 2.0, has so far not reached the levels expected.

Changes made late last year to the Obama administration's flagship mortgage refinance program, Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), have boosted profits at the nation's largest banks at the expense of homeowners and U.S. taxpayers, according to mortgage experts testifying at a Senate hearing the week of April 23.

Lenders are no more willing now to make a home loan backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac than they were six years ago, according to a Federal Reserve Board survey released Monday.

Industry efforts to pass legislation that would exclude originator compensation from the statutory points and fees test in the qualified mortgage rule are off to a slow start on Capitol Hill.

Ally Financial, in a new public filing, finally admitted that it is weighing bankruptcy protection for its struggling residential mortgage division, which is facing potential additional losses of up to $4 billion.

Recently National Australia Bank (NAB) had priced a $1 billion RMBS for Member Equity Bank that was sold to global investors, which include money market investors, and domestic buysiders.

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp. today announced its plans for an IPO of 8,000,000 shares of its common stock.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)is preparing to ease the reins on the use of financial derivatives and allow more credit unions to deal in a variety of instruments that would help them hedge interest rate risk, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors, options and collars.