RMBS

More details emerged this week on Redwood Trust's new RMBS deal. The mortgage REIT told ASR last month that it planned to issue its fourth transaction early 1Q12.

Freddie Mac reported mortgage rates eased to new record lows for all products in its survey for the week ending Jan. 12.

Stonegate Mortgage Corp. has hired former Irwin Mortgage Corp. executive John F. Macke as executive vice president of capital markets in line with growth plans that include the introduction of non-agency Jumbos this year.

To date, the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks have recognized more than $4.4 billion of losses on their investments in private-label mortgage-backed securities, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Two senior Federal Reserve officials called on policymakers to take steps quickly to help ease the pain of the housing market to assist ongoing efforts to rescue the U.S. economy.

Independent ratings and analytics firm Rapid Ratings said that Jeffrey Gibb has joined the firm as senior vice president of strategic relations and head of legal operations.

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and NatWest are marketing a $500 million credit card ABS under its Arran Cards Funding program.

Assured Guaranty filed a brief today in the New York state Supreme Court against a motion to dismiss its case against Credit Suisse.

As was expected, with the conclusion of the year-end holidays, mortgage application activity increased 4.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in the week ending Jan. 6.

Michael Williams, the president and CEO of Fannie Mae, announced plans to step down as soon as a successor can be appointed, according to a company filing issued Tuesday to the Securities and Exchange Commission.