Prepayment rates for agency mortgage-backed securities slowed across the board in the January reporting period, producing "the flattest refinancing curve we have observed since early in 2001," according to the Bear Stearns Prepayment Commentary.Speeds of Fannie Mae MBS were "marginally slower in the massive 5.0% and 5.5% coupons," whereas coupons of 6.0% and higher recorded declines of 17%-20% (representing decreases in constant prepayment rates of 5-10 CPR), said Bear Stearns analysts Dale Westhoff and Bruce Kramer. "After today's report, we find all 6.0% issues now paying in the low to mid-20 CPR range and all higher coupons paying in the 35 to 45 CPR range," the analysts said. "Many of these issues are now more than 40 CPR below their peak levels from last summer." Noting the recent drop in mortgage rates, the Bear Stearns analysts predicted that speeds will rise in the February and March reporting periods, but that "we expect this mini-refinancing event to be short-lived and centered primarily in new 5.5% and 6.0% issues." Bear Stearns can be found online at http://www.bearstearns.com.
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Doxo plans to fight the FTC complaint, which focuses broadly on consumer finance, but there are signs of confusion about the company's role in mortgages too.
April 25 -
Members of the LGBTQ community were most likely to have experienced housing bias, according to a Zillow survey, which also found many people don't recognize how fair lending laws could help.
April 25 -
Senior executives making over $151,000 would still be subject to such clauses should the rule go into effect this year.
April 25 -
Christopher J. Gallo and his aide, Mehmet A. Elmas, allegedly withheld information in mortgage applications, hiding that borrowers were purchasing second home properties.
April 25 -
Mortgage rates rose 7 basis points this week, Freddie Mac said, and more increases are likely following a weaker than expected gross domestic product report.
April 25 -
Independent mortgage bankers lost the most money ever on every loan originated last year due to higher rates and lower volumes, an industry trade group said.
April 25