Mortgage-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities (backed securities) are debt securities that are created from pools of home mortgages. They are securitized instruments that are traded in financial markets and are derived from the cash flows of underlying pools of mortgages. They are created when a corporation or financial institution such as a bank uses the cash proceeds from the underlying mortgage loans to fund the purchase of the security. Mortgage-backed securities can provide a steady stream of income to investors and offer a secure source of funding for the issuing bank or institution.
Mortgage-backed securities are created when mortgage originators, such as banks, mortgage brokers, and other lenders, package a group of mortgages together into a Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security (UMBS). This process is known as “securitization” and allows lenders to sell mortgage-backed securities to investors in order to raise much-needed capital.
The mortgage cash flows, which are collected from the underlying mortgagors, go to the financial institution that originally sold the UMBS. This allows lenders to fill their coffers with the cash they need to fund their future loan operations. The cash proceeds from the sale of the security are split between the issuer of the security and the purchasers of the security after paying expenses and fees. The income that is generated by the security is used to pay coupon payments to investors. The coupon payments are based on the current interest rate on the mortgages, which may fluctuate over time.
The majority of mortgage-backed securities on the market today are backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. These are known as agency securities because they are backed by a government agency. Other mortgage-backed securities are insured by FHA or VA, and are known as Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) securities or “Ginnie Mae” securities. These mortgage-backed securities are not only backed by a government agency, but they are also insured, adding an extra layer of security to the investment.
Mortgage-backed securities have become increasingly popular investments for individuals, pension funds, and other institutional investors. They are attractive for their high yields and predictable cash flows, which provide a steady and reliable stream of income. They can also be attractive as a way to diversify investment portfolios because of their low correlation with other types of investments.
Mortgage-backed securities can be an effective way to finance home loans, providing a reliable and secure source of capital for lending institutions. Currently the mortgage-backed securities market is the largest and most liquid debt security in the world. Despite the volatile nature of the market and the recent financial crisis, mortgage-backed securities remain a popular and reliable form of investment for many investors.