Subject:
sub-prime mortgages The subprime mortgage crisis is an ongoing real estate crisis and financial crisis triggered by a dramatic rise in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures in the United States, with major adverse consequences for banks and financial markets around the globe. The crisis, which has its roots in the closing years of the 20th century, became apparent in 2007 and has exposed pervasive weaknesses in financial industry regulation and the global financial system.
Approximately 80% of U.S. mortgages issued in recent years to subprime borrowers were adjustable-rate mortgages.
After U.S. house prices peaked in mid-2006 and began their steep decline thereafter, refinancing became more difficult. As adjustable-rate mortgages began to reset at higher rates, mortgage delinquencies soared. Securities backed with subprime mortgages, widely held by financial firms, lost most of their value. The result has been a large decline in the capital of many banks and U.S. government sponsored enterprises, tightening credit around the world. (Wikipedia Feb 2010)
US Bonds 2005
By John Schroy, on March 13th, 2006 |

In 2005, net issues of agency and GSE-backed securities were only 7.8% of levels of 2001, when Fannie Mae was in her heyday, aggressively flogging mortgages to the masses.
In 2005, net issues of agencies were only $50.7 billion, indicating that this sector had become far less important in the fixed income market than at any time in the last decade.
Q4 2005
By John Schroy, on March 9th, 2006 |

The rapid withdrawal of borrowers from the home mortgage market, as interest rates rose in Q4 2005, suggests that much of the borrowing over the last year or so was probably opportunistic, stimulated by low interest rates and aggressive marketing (e.g., Ditech.com)
Total mortgage borrowing fell 6.6% during Q4 2005, compared to the previous quarter. Mortgage borrowing by households fell even more, down 11.7% compared to Q3 2005.
Investment 1995 - 2004
By John Schroy, on February 27th, 2006 |

In 1995, US households held similar amounts of assets in home equity and corporate stocks: US$ 4.3 trillion in stocks and US$ 4.7 trillion in home equity. Over the decade, the situation changed dramatically, so that by 2004, households held US$ 4.8 trillion more in home equity than in corporate stocks.
This difference came about because of the crash in the stock market in 2000-2001 and because of the steady increase in home values throughout the decade. Low interest rates and easier terms on home mortgages pushed prices of residential real estate upwards, while individuals favored indirect investment in stocks through mutual funds over direct holdings.
Popular Articles