The onslaught began last month after the agency released a sobering financial report, then accelerated last week when the New York Times reported on an alleged “pattern of risky lending” in the agency’s mortgage insurance program. The Times piece, penned by columnist Gretchen Morgenson, relays the findings of a controversial new report from Edward Pinto [...]
Guarantee fees are the primary source of revenue for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, allowing them to offset operational costs and reserve against credit risk on the home loans they back. Without that income, Fannie and Freddie cannot provide liquidity to the U.S. mortgage market.
Issue Brief
Seven key facts about the report and what you need to know about the agency's future.
Friday’s announcement that the Federal Housing Administration may soon need taxpayer support for the first time in its 78-year history is sure to energize critics of the government-run mortgage insurer. It will be months before we know the final tab, but even the $16.3 billion estimate released today is a small price to pay for [...]
The federal government stepped in to support the housing market when it was in free fall, and we’re now starting to see the benefits.
Issue Brief
Without the cash-strapped agency’s help in recent years, the housing crisis and resulting economic downturn would have been much worse.
Report
Instead of continuing to siphon federal dollars from high-need states to support low-need states, it’s time lawmakers dedicated each federal dollar to the country’s most pressing highway and transit needs.
Three plans to help millions of families take advantage of low interest rates through mortgage refinancing are now before Congress, but Congress is slow to act.
Issue Brief
Fannie and Freddie remain two of the world's largest financial institutions, but most Americans understand very little about the two mortgage giants.
Issue Brief
John Griffith, Julia Gordon, and David Sanchez lay out seven essential questions the presidential candidates need to answer on housing.
The agency stands in the way of principal reductions by mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the Treasury Department can fix that, writes John Griffith.
John Griffith reviews the role Fannie and Freddie play in the housing market and why we need to transition to a new system of housing finance that includes less government support.
Interactive
John Griffith examines 21 ideas for transitioning the government-sponsored enterprises to a new system of U.S. housing finance.
John Griffith considers whether reducing mortgage principal is a moral issue.
Congress can save taxpayer dollars while giving underwater borrowers a fighting chance of staying in their homes, writes John Griffith.