Freddie Issues First Subprime MBS

Freddie has issued a $105.6 million subprime mortgage-backed security as part of its $20 billion commitment to Congress to provide liquidity to the subprime market and safer underwriting standards.The subprime and alternative-A loans originated by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage include fixed-rate products along with adjustable-rate 2/28 mortgages. The maximum margin on the ARMs is 450 basis points. One group of loans in the Freddie Mac structured pass-through security (Series T-074) has FICO credit scores ranging from 550 to 752 with a weighted average score of 613. Freddie spokesman Brad German said loans have a wide range of credit scores, loan-to-value ratios, debt-to-income ratios, and other characteristics. He said Freddie does not have a cookie-cutter model with every detail worked out. But the secondary-market agency will work with lenders in putting loan pools together that meet a certain risk profile. "The prospectus will give the market a strong idea of what we are looking to buy," Mr. German said.