The Federal Housing Finance Agency must set fees equal to the cost of capital that private banks hold against similar risk, not just the amount of capital that Fannie and Freddie think are right for themselves. ... Read full article
Fannie Mae servicers are facing pressure from the recent hurricanes, but so far are bearing up under the strain. ... Read full article
Mark Calabria, the chief economic adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said the administration is focused for now on more pressing issues than GSE reform, including addressing housing damage from recent hurricanes. ... Read full article
A securities settlement, portfolio asset sales and greater interest among smaller lenders helped Freddie Mac compensate for potential losses from the catastrophic hurricane season. ... Read full article
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt said the agency is poised to examine alternatives to how a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac assess creditworthiness of home buyers, including seeking public comment on the issue later this fall. ... Read full article
In a moment of rare unity, the Independent Community Bankers of America and National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions sent a joint letter to FHFA arguing to stop the GSEs' profit sweep. ... Read full article
The week of Oct. 2 is shaping up to be a significant one for the financial services industry on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers grill the top executives of Equifax and Wells Fargo, as well as the top regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ... Read full article
Sen. Bob Corker has been a key voice in the housing finance reform debate. His departure at the end of next year puts a deadline of sorts on his efforts to unwind and replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ... Read full article
Efforts to persuade regulators to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use alternative credit scores would stifle competition between the credit bureaus and FICO and do little to expand access to credit, according to industry analyst Chris Whalen. ... Read full article
As was expected, President Trump has nominated Brian Montgomery to serve as the commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration. ... Read full article
The portfolio of conforming loans is currently being subserviced by Nationstar Mortgage Holdings on behalf of Seneca Mortgage Investments. ... Read full article
The Home Affordable Refinance Program will now expire on Dec. 31, 2018, the FHFA said. ... Read full article
Picking a new benchmark for adjustable-rate mortgages is the easy part. Industrywide implementation is where things get tricky. ... Read full article
Mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could need nearly $100 billion in bailout money in the event of a new economic crisis, according to stress test results released Monday by their regulator. ... Read full article
Credit risk transfers have emerged as more than just a method for mitigating taxpayer exposure. They could be a key component of comprehensive housing finance reform. ... Read full article
FHFA Director Mel Watt said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can not use alternative credit models until other issues are resolved first. ... Read full article
A bipartisan duo of lawmakers is set Tuesday to introduce a bill designed to increase homeownership opportunities for “credit invisible” consumers. ... Read full article
Freddie Mac said it earned enough in the second quarter to send a $2 billion dividend to the U.S. Treasury, but the press release announcing the company’s financial results includes new language suggesting uncertainty as to whether the payment will be made ... Read full article
Regardless of whether Congress could act, proponents don’t seem to fully appreciate the potential unintended consequences of a future without Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ... Read full article
Citi is holding its first investor day since the financial crisis, plugging credit cards and its Mexican business; Morgan Stanley's market cap tops Goldman's for the first time. ... Read full article
