ABS

The Maiden Lane and Sequoia transactions may not herald the return of a vibrant RMBS market anytime soon, but they do indicate significant demand for bonds at nearly opposite ends of the RMBS market.

Although American Securitization Forum (ASF) conferences are usually more U.S.-centric, this year's ASF 2012 had more of a global focus.

There were 5,119 registrants at ASF 2012 - an impressive show of strength considering the issuance tally for certain market segments. But let's not forget: there've been only four Jumbo RMBS in the last three years.

In January, Fitch Ratings put out a report that highlighted ratings volatility in securitizations that are retained by European originators, primarily to use as collateral for funding with the European Central Bank (ECB).

Hogan Lovells has expanded its New York finance practice by adding Peter Humphreys and Evan Koster.

PFS Financing Corp. is in the market with a $300 million premium finance ABS. The deal comprises a Class A worth $288 million and a Class B worth $12 million.

As Rep. Scott Garrett seeks to pass the first significant financial reform law since the Dodd-Frank Act, a lot of forces are arrayed against him.

Pillsbury has hired Anthony Schouten and Jeffrey Stern for its finance group as partners in New York.

Manager Activity: Autos Book Runner Amount (US$ Mil) Rank Mkt.

Panelists discussed similar housing themes to those that were covered in 2011 at the ASF 2012 Future of U.S. Mortgage Finance panel.

There was much focus on the U.S. consumer at American Securitization Forum's (ASF) ASF 2012 held in Las Vegas.

It may be too early to declare who the winner is, but Bank of America's willingness to settle the $8.5 billion Countrywide suit hints at how big the litigation problem might be for mortgage originators in the courts today.

Monolines that have brought MBS lawsuits to court have used the same facts that class actions and put-back claims have made, but have used a different theory of law as a legal basis for their arguments.

If you are in a class action and someone is representing you, you have the right to "opt out" and bring your own action.

Put-back litigation continues to be a fight for information. Trustees might know that loans within the securitization pool are in breach, the question is whether they are willing to provide the information to investors who need it.

Realogy Corp. plans to issue roughly $593 million of senior secured first lien notes due 2020 and around $325 million of senior secured notes due 2020 in a private placement.

In his welcome address at the American Securitization Forum’s (ASF) ASF 2012, Ralph Daloisio, managing director at Natixis, referred back to 2011 as “the year of revival.”

Robust attendance is expected at the American Securitization Forum's (ASF) ASF 2012 to be held in Las Vegas' ARIA hotel and convention center starting this Sunday, Jan 22. The conference will last until Wednesday, Jan 25.

Greenberg Traurig hired Juan Manuel Gonzalez Bernal as a shareholder in its newly established office in Mexico City.