Secondary markets

The Department of Housing and Urban Development agency warned in an online notice that issuers with prepayments exceeding certain limits could face sanctions.

KBRA recently assigned low-end investment grade designations to Freedom Mortgage and Pennymac transactions that involve interests in Ginnie Mae mortgage servicing rights.

Audited financials, proof of fidelity bonds and errors and omissions insurance must be provided on Ginnie Mae Central after May 13.

The changes made to the schedule of bringing advanced credit metrics to major mortgage investors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac affect bi-merged reports and Vantagescore 4.0's implementation.

The company was able release credit reserves because of actual and forecasted prices that boosted net income, CEO Priscilla Almodovar said.

The government-sponsored enterprise financed 955,000 mortgages last year, down from the 1.8 million loans it backed in 2022.

But Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conducted no private-market sales of nonperforming loans early last year as adjustments were made to the program.

Interest rate-related developments have reportedly created an environment where more mortgage firms are interested in selling and investors are eager to buy.

Industry consolidation has resulted in fewer conventional and government loan programs being offered to consumers.

December's shift in Federal Reserve policy gave a notable boost to the share of consumer respondents who think the affordability of home financing will improve.