CURRENT FACE

The current par value of a mortgage-backed security (MBS). Current face is determined by multiplying the current pool factor by the mortgage-backed security's original face value. A mortgage-backed security's current face represents the outstanding principal balance (or its outstanding face value) of the mortgage's underlying the security.

If the MBS pays interest and principal on payment dates, the current face will decline after each payment is made.

Different mortgage-backed securities with the same issue date, same coupon and same original face value can have greatly different current faces. Mortgage-backed securities pay down at different rates based on the characteristics of the underlying loans and on the actual prepayment speed of underlying mortgages.

For example, suppose that two mortgage-backed securities (MBS 1 and MBS 2) have the same original face value, but MBS 1 experiences faster prepayments then MBS 2. In this case, MBS 1 will have a lower current face value then MBS 2 as time progresses.