
Boringly reliable…the alternative asset that’s delivering a monthly income of 8%-plus pa
Michael Frearson, RAM Director, Head of Fixed Income, says mortgage-backed securities can deliver equity-like returns without the same level of risk
As rate cuts loom, Australian investors will need to think about where to find yield for their portfolios.
In recent years, equities have been a popular option but come with higher risk than fixed income investments.
An alternative option could be residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), which can yield equity-like returns of over 8% despite being more conservative.
Changing perceptions
RMBS could represent a new concept for many investors. For others with longer memories, they could bring to mind scary echoes of the GFC and the sub-prime crisis in the US.
But the Australian environment is very different.
Our lending regulations are far stricter, with stringent income and serviceability checks on borrowers and avenues for recourse in the event of a default.
So RMBS could play a valuable role for conservative, income-focused investors, including retirees because of the protective structures in play.
As floating rate investments, they’re a great source of income. They have guaranteed revenue streams and capital stability, with underlying security so investors receive their face value back.
Chasing the Aussie dream
The domestic RMBS market is extensive at approximately $160bn in size, which shouldn’t come as any surprise given residential property could be called the great Australian obsession.
The market is split around 80/20 between RMBS and other asset-backed securities (ABS) – mainly auto-lending, as well as some consumer credit, equipment credit and SME credit.
Usually there are around $40-50bn worth of transactions per annum but 2024 was a stellar year, with around $79bn.
There was a strong rally across all areas of the credit market in the second half of 2024, including structured finance, for two main reasons.
- Economic performance was more resilient than expected – economies withstood rate hikes and there was a soft landing.
- The outlook for rate cuts, which will improve credit quality even further over 2025.
This saw outsized returns in the RMBS and ABS market, but I believe there’s still strong relative value to be found.
With rates about to ease, now could be the time to invest in Australian RMBS. Yields in securitised transactions are still at a healthy premium to corporate credit spreads, with approximately double the yield available in RMBS mezzanine tranches.
Under the hood – how the RMBS market works
A very simple way of thinking about RMBS is as a pool of residential mortgages, designed to offer regular income payments. This is broken down into tranches with different levels of risk and yield.
- In private markets there’s a senior tranche, a mezzanine tranche, a junior tranche and/or a seller note.
- In public markets there are AAA-rated components, mezzanine tranches and equity notes that lenders retain.
Higher rated tranches are protected by lower rate ones that absorb initial losses. These tranches, along with credit enhancements – designed to reduce risk – and mechanisms to retain excess income and maintain liquidity reserves, create a buffer to withstand any expected losses, along with additional insurance if required.
When it comes to our preferred investments, we generally prefer private transactions, and specifically the mezzanine tranchebecause we can get enhanced credit protection and returns. We have greater control over the pool of loans, the lending policy and liquidity. This is because the private transactions terms are negotiated privately between the non-bank and investors, and investors get a premium for complexity, customisation and illiquidity.
Real Income Fund = boringly reliable income
RAM’s Real Income Fund has consistently delivered its investment objective of RBA Cash Rate + 4%, currently at 8.35% pa, since inception.
We’ve achieved this by focusing on consistent income, capital stability and minimising risk. So we take a very selective approach.
- We don’t do corporate lending.
- We don’t do development and construction projects (a risk we’ve seen quite a lot with development loans, despite their equity-like investment returns).
- And we don’t do secondary mortgages (where investors refinance or take out an additional mortgage, often with higher loan-to-value ratio and higher risk).
Instead, we focus on well-diversified pools of high-quality mortgages and other secured credit facilities like cars and equipment.
Before investing, we apply a microscopic lens to underlying borrowers and mortgage quality. We only invest in products underpinned by first mortgages.
RAM has a 8-year track record of delivering on our income objective with 100% capital stability. We’re supported by an award-winning non-bank lending business with 150+ staff and a $3bn funding platform from institutional investors and banks.
I’d describe the income we deliver as ‘boringly reliable’ – something many investors are looking for in their portfolios these days.
I recently discussed the RMBS market in more detail with Livewire. You can read the full article here.
If you’re looking for more information on the RMBS market, including insights on how institutions have been investing in this space for decades and the diversification benefits it offers for portfolios, read our whitepaper here.
Michael Frearson
RAM Director, Head of Fixed Income

Australian RMBS Market
If you’re looking for more information on the RMBS market, including insights on how institutions have been investing in this space for decades and the diversification benefits it offers for portfolios, read our whitepaper.
Download HereAbout the Real Income Fund
The Real Income Fund aims to provide investors with an enhanced income stream through Australian secured credit.
Why Invest in RIF?
- Reliable, enhanced monthly income stream
- Conservatively average LVR across the portfolio of 63%
- Diversified, secured Australian first ranking mortgages on property and other assets
- Monthly liquidity provided through access to a $3bn funding pool
- Conservatively managed portfolio with no development finance or unsecured finance

