Assignment of Trade (AOT)
Contents
Demystifying Assignment of Trade (AOT) in Mortgage-Backed Securities
Assignment of trade (AOT) is a strategic transaction commonly employed in the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market, streamlining the process of fulfilling forward trades and mitigating associated risks. Let's delve into the intricacies of AOT, exploring its mechanics, applications, examples, criticisms, and potential future developments.
Understanding Assignment of Trade (AOT)
AOT serves as a three-party agreement involving the originator of underlying mortgages (assignor), an investor (assignee), and a dealer or broker. The assignor, seeking to mitigate risks such as interest rate fluctuations and defaults, utilizes AOT to transfer mortgage obligations to the assignee, who then fulfills the responsibilities of the assignor.
How AOT Works
Originators employ AOT to expedite the pricing and sale of whole loans to assignees, who subsequently deliver MBSs into original TBA trades, thus unwinding hedge positions. This process enables assignors to free up capital for new loans while assignees assume mortgage risks and dealers acquire MBSs.
Example of AOT
In practice, an assignor sells an MBS to a dealer to hedge against loan risks. Subsequently, a third-party assignee steps in to acquire the loans, collecting income streams and fulfilling the dealer's obligations. This arrangement enables all parties to optimize their positions in the market efficiently.
Criticism of AOT
Despite its advantages, AOT faces criticism due to its complexity and reliance on manual processes prone to errors. Critics advocate for standardized electronic platforms to streamline trade assignments, ensuring accurate tracking and archiving of crucial information.