Secondary markets

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have new technology-driven initiatives planned for 2018 that are expected to help lenders improve the borrowing experience for home buyers and make full use of the government-sponsored enterprises' credit box.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's final Duty to Serve plans are moving ahead with expanded support for manufactured housing through both single-family and multifamily programs, including controversial personal property loans.

Royal Bank of Scotland Chief Executive Officer Ross McEwan said the likelihood is waning that the lender will settle a U.S. mortgage-bond probe before the end of the year as he'd hoped, though it's well-capitalized to handle a settlement.

The U.S. is taking steps to stamp out the practice of servicemembers and veterans being pressured into taking mortgages they don't need, a move that officials say will lower consumer costs and could lead to financial penalties for lenders.

Testing of the common securitization platform is taking longer than expected, but the Federal Housing Finance Agency said it won't delay the 2019 launch of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's new single "uniform mortgage-backed security."

The senior tranche of Angel Oak 2017-3 benefits from 46.25% credit enhancement, up significantly from 37.75% for the sponsor’s July transaction, but in line with its April deal.

Fannie Mae servicers are facing pressure from the recent hurricanes, but so far are bearing up under the strain.

Credit Suisse's plan for consumer relief in a multibillion-dollar Department of Justice settlement related to residential mortgage-backed securities could reduce the costs involved, according to the settlement monitor's first report.

Called Structured Agency Credit Risk Securitized Participation Interests, the new securities are backed by mortgage loans, and are not general obligations of the government-sponsored enterprise.

Many of the prime jumbo loans backing the transaction, JP Morgan 2017-4, were contributed by originators with limited history in that product, according to DBRS.