Tag Archives: Fannie Mae

While the housing downturn impacted all foreign-born American homeowners, immigrant populations were impacted differently, according to a report from Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research Group. Using Census Bureau data from 2007 to 2011, Fannie Mae researchers set out to understand how immigrant homeowners were impacted by the housing collapse.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) needs to work on improving its REO disposition strategy so it can bring in higher returns when properties go to sale, according to a recent report from the GAO. In fact, when compared to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the congressional watchdog found FHA disposes its REOs at a much slower pace and sees smaller returns. After examining foreclosure timelines, the GAO revealed the FHA takes about 340 days to dispose of its REOs after foreclosure, which is more than 60 percent longer than the GSEs average of 200 days.

UBS announced Monday it has reached an agreement in principle with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to settle claims related to soured residential mortgage-backed securities.

With July approaching its last week, economists at Fannie Mae are maintaining their forecast for greater economic growth in the second half of 2013. In its latest Economic and Housing Outlook, Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group points to steady year-to-date job creation, high consumer confidence, and positive housing data as proof the economy is on a positive, though modest, growth path.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG) argued in a report released Tuesday that the FHFA should define specific performance goals for encouraging private participation in the mortgage credit risk market. For example, FHFA has not defined what it considers ""increased private sector investment"" nor determined how much it must raise guarantee fees to achieve this goal, according to the report. Similarly, FHFA has not set specific goals for its pricing initiatives with FHA.

With criticism for the Obama administration and the shortcomings of the Dodd Frank Act, the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee announced Thursday a new plan to fix housing finance and end the bailout for good. The Protecting American Taxpayers and Homeowners Act (PATH) aims to end the federal bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within five years; increase competition in the housing finance market; and offer consumers more choices when shopping for mortgages.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is facing a lawsuit from a housing group for allegedly failing to uphold the GSEs' obligations to make contributions to a housing trust fund. The National Low Income Housing Coalition announced the suit Tuesday. According to the group, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have not met their requirements to pay into the National Housing Trust Fund. Law requires the enterprises to transfer a portion of the value of their new business into the fund, though it was suspended in 2008.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has expressed support mixed with concern for the common securitization platform the Federal Housing Finance Agency is developing as part of its strategic plan for this year. While MBA condones the potential taxpayer savings and market efficiencies, the industry group continues to argue for more transparency and industry input in the platform development. In a paper released Wednesday, the MBA explained its vision for a successful common securitization platform.

According to Fannie Mae's latest National Housing Survey, 57 percent of consumers expect prices will continue to rise in the next 12 months--a survey high. The average price change expectation was 3.8 percent, a slight drop from May's high of 3.9 percent. More notable was the pickup in mortgage rate expectations. The number of consumers expecting rates will rise over the next 12 months spiked 11 percentage points to 57 percent, another survey high. Only 4 percent said they expect rates will drop.

In a recent announcement, Fannie Mae notified servicers of new policies related to Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) modification assistance programs.