The spread between mortgage rates and Treasury rates is impacted by several factors, including the level of interest rate volatility and the relative demand/supply balance of the two types of securities. In recent months, rate volatility has diminished, as the future course of monetary policy has become clearer and financial markets have been relatively calm. Last week’s announcement that the GSEs will increase their purchases of MBS brought the spread in further, and mortgage rates dropped further over the course of the week.

The level of commercial/multifamily mortgage debt outstanding increased by $53.4 billion (1.1%) in the third quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Debt Outstanding quarterly report.