RMBS

Fitch Ratings updated its criteria for rating Dutch RMBS transactions backed by the Nationale Hypotheek Garantie (NHG). The action could possibly cause previously rated 'AAA' paper backed by NHGs to be downgraded to 'BBB."

The Hope Now Alliance May mortgage loan data showed that foreclosure sales fell to 68,000 in May, a 7% drop from the 73,000 recorded in April, and marking the second consecutive month of decline.

Even as he favored a broader exemption from risk retention than currently proposed, Rep. Barney Frank said Monday regulators should not undermine skin-in-the-game rules by turning the exception into the rule.

Global real estate funds management firm Agincourt Capital plans to launch this Thursday what it said is the first-ever offshore renminbi secured convertible bond fund for Australian residential and commercial real estate, and it is also in the process of structuring an RMB bond fund that will invest in certain New York City properties.

Bank of America on Monday tapped its legacy servicing chief, Terry Laughlin, as the bank’s new chief risk officer.

The Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee on Tuesday will consider seven new bills to reform the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including one that prevents the Treasury from lowering the current 10% dividend the two pay to the government.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded one tranche from the GSAMP 2007-H1 and placed it on review for further downgrade along with five other tranches from thee subprime RMBS deals.

Stewart Lender Services (SLS) has acquired a majority ownership in PMH Financial.

Fear of getting laid off has home shoppers wary of committing to a mortgage, and those who do want to buy a home continue to find it hard to get financing, a survey found.

Although residential lenders are starting to ponder cutbacks in their ranks, not all mortgage-related firms are worried about their head counts.