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Investing in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) allows you to act as the "bank" by earning interest on pools of residential or commercial mortgages. The is the stated interest rate paid to the security holder, which is "passed through" from the interest borrowers pay on their underlying loans . How to Buy MBS

MBS trade relative to a "par" value of $100. If you buy an MBS for $101 (at a premium), your actual yield will be lower than the coupon rate. If you buy at $99 (at a discount), your yield will be higher than the coupon.

Some major brokerages, such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard, allow you to buy individual MBS or Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) . This typically requires a higher minimum investment and more technical knowledge. Understanding the MBS Coupon

If interest rates fall, homeowners may refinance their mortgages. This returns your principal to you early, forcing you to reinvest at lower current rates.

This is the most common method for retail investors. Funds like the iShares MBS ETF (MBB) or the Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMBS) pool thousands of securities, providing instant diversification and professional management.

Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

Conversely, if rates rise, homeowners stay in their loans longer, keeping your money locked in a lower-yielding investment for more time than expected.

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