The central bank said it was establishing the Commercial Paper Funding Facility to "support the flow of credit to households and businesses."

The Federal Reserve's most recent economic-stimulus effort could reduce disparities between a rally in Treasurys and a relative slump in mortgage-backed securities that contributed to higher average home-lending rates last week.

Mortgage prices rose and spreads tightened Monday morning as investors responded favorably to the Federal Reserve's weekend announcement that it will resume net purchases of agency MBS for the first time since October 2014.

The agencies were up and running Monday but have taken steps to allow employees to work from home.

Bankers say they understand the need for an extraordinary government response to the coronavirus outbreak, but worry that even slashing interest rates won’t stimulate demand.

The Federal Open Market Committee lowered the fed funds rate target to between zero and ¼% in an emergency meeting on Sunday, but while analysts say the move was needed, they feel it will take more to offset the effects of COVID-19.

The actions include cutting the federal funds rate to between 0% and 0.25% and other steps to ease economic stress from the spread of the coronavirus.

The central bank has been under increasing pressure to act as investors have been losing faith in the Trump administration's efforts to contain the economic fallout.

State and federal officials committed to providing “appropriate regulatory assistance” to banks whose customers may be hurt by the coronavirus outbreak and said prudent measures would not be subject to criticism by examiners.

From credit unions to banks, loan officers in South Florida are on the phones with homeowners, many of whom have one question: When can I refinance my mortgage?