boarddork, great DD, that COULD be the missing connection if the AO1 in the loan files really represents Ahmundson Obligation and not only A01 (A-zero-1)
The third merger with AO (Ahmunson Obligation) is proof of MBS existence for legacy WMI.
What has really grabbed my attention today, is the third merger down listed is AOC LLC. Ahmundson Obligation. Remember where we last saw something resembling AOC? I do.....
AO1 = Ahmunson Obligation tranche 1 AO2, and so on and so forth.
Background: Remember, MBSecurities are backed by Mortgages Held In Portfolio that are lent out to unwrite multiple MBS tranches. When a loan is liquidated, for example paid off, one of WMI's subs like Ahmunson Obligation provides a Reconveyance to release DOT lien against the property back to the homeowner free and clear - and then Ahmuson Obligation must replace the liquidated loan with another from the Held In Portfolio basket, to fulfill its obligations to the Trustee managing the MBS trusts.
MBS are made up of Sold not Portfolio loans. The sold loans are held in Trusts, like DB. When a loan is paid off or foreclosed it is not replaced in the MBS, Investors expect the prepayment risk and attempt to account for prepayments in their pricing models when they invest in MBS. Well understood by the market and individuals with mortgage banking experience.