Tag Archives: Fannie Mae

Volume of government-backed purchase loans rose by 10 percent in January, despite an uptick in mortgage rates. RHS loans far outpaced other categories, with FHA comprising the smallest segment. The number of first-time buyers also rose, increasing 11 percent over the year.

Fannie Mae’s gross mortgage portfolio increased at a compound annualized rate of 0.1 percent in March. In February, it decreased at an annualized rate of nearly 17 percent. Total aggregate unpaid principal balance on the GSE's mortgage portfolio was just under $269 billion—up about $30,000 over the month.

A new white paper has proposed a detailed plan for reforming the nation’s GSEs. Offering a roadmap toward reform, the paper also outlines how to handle the transition to a new GSE system, as well as the secondary markets role in the move. The paper is designed to help legislators move GSE reform along—a goal the new administration has made clear.

Fannie Mae’s newest look at the economy over the next year-and-a-half is a positive, if not bullish one. The GSE sees housing as a major driver of the economy, but not at such a pace as to cause any bubbles. At the same time, potential political unrest domestically and internationally bring the enthusiasm down to a much quieter level.

Fannie Mae recently released its Monthly Summary for February 2017. Fannie Mae’s gross mortgage portfolio decreased for at a compound annualized rate of 16.9 percent for the month, while the GSEs Conventional Single Family Delinquency Rate stayed much the same month-over-month.

The GSE no longer allows plywood to be used on homes in preforeclosure, however, this rule does not apply to Fannie Mae’s REO properties. As of March 29, servicers have 90 days to re-glaze/repair or clear board all unsecured and previously plywood boarded windows. Additionally, Fannie Mae will allow servicers seven days to secure a property after it has been found vacant, by re-glazing/repairing or clear boarding.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have made headway on goals set forth in the 2016 Scorecard by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, according to the FHFA's Progress Report released on Wednesday. GSE efforts to improve credit access, assist borrowers, and reduce taxpayer credit risk were all noted in the agency's report. FHFA is currently soliciting comments on the Progress Report at FHFA.gov.

According to the GSE, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced additional enhancements to its requirements for sales of non-performing loans by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on April 14, 2016, that build on requirements originally announced in March 2015. These enhancements apply to the non-performing sale that was announced today.

Since Fannie and Freddie were seized by regulators in 2008, a fix has been promised. As the two GSEs, which back close to 40 percent of U.S. home loans, face the threat of requiring aid, that need for a fix has become more urgent. Senators Corker and Warner are not assured that an overhaul will succeed.

The FHFA’s Credit Risk Transfer Report revealed a big uptick in GSE credit risk transfer for 2016. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac transferred a combined $18 billion in credit risk on $548 billion mortgages for the year. Risk was transferred via a variety of debt issuances, insurance and reinsurance programs, and front-end transactions.