This paper examines the relationship between mortgage originator loss exposure (i.e., risk
retention) and the ex post performance and initial structure and pricing of mortgage-backed
securities (MBS). We argue that originator risk retention varies positively with originator-sponsor
and originator-servicer affiliation. Overall, we find that ex post loss and foreclosure rates are
significantly higher for MBS in which originators are not affiliated with the sponsor or servicer.
The relationship between ex post performance and affiliation is confined to low documentation
mortgages in which originator screening based on “soft” information is likely to be most
important in determining the creditworthiness of borrowers. Consistent with investors expecting
ex post performance to vary with affiliation, we find that initial MBS yields are lower and the
percentage of AAA-rated securities issued against the mortgage pool is higher for affiliated deals.