The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a Request for Input (RFI) Thursday for problems qualified Limited English Proficiency (LEP) borrowers face during the mortgage lifecycle. Per FHFA’s 2017 Scorecard for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Common Securitization Solutions, the GSEs must identify major challenges for LEP borrowers in accessing mortgage credit, analyzing potential solutions, and developing a multiyear plan appropriate for the Enterprises to support improved access. By better understanding the experience of LEP borrowers and those that serve them, the FHFA can successfully expand their statutory mandate.
Read More »FHFA Throws Struggling Homeowners a Lifeline
For seriously delinquent, underwater homeowners struggling through the murky aftermath of the financial crisis, help is on the way in the form of a gift from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Read More »Home Prices Climb Despite Volatile Financial Markets
In the midst of tight supply, heightened competition for buyers, and unpredictable financial markets, U.S. home prices continued to rise in the fourth quarter.
Read More »Will Royal Bank of Scotland be the Next to Settle RMBS Fraud Claims?
Out of 18 firms sued by the FHFA in 2011 over RMBS fraud, RBS is the only one not to have resolved their case through either settlement or trial.
Read More »How Effective are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at Preventing Foreclosures?
It may be tougher to qualify for a mortgage loan to buy a home now than it was 10 years ago. But at least Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are helping borrowers who already have homes to stay in them.
Read More »Watchdog Recommends FHFA Enhance Risk Assessment Audits for GSEs
Despite having similar business models and charters, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have significant variations in risk assessments between them. What does the OIG recommend is the best way to reduce these variations?
Read More »FHFA Proposes Rule for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to Offer Mortgages to Underserved Markets
The proposed regulation will require the GSEs to serve three underserved markets including manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation, and rural markets.
Read More »Watt Scheduled to Testify Before House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mel Watt is scheduled to testify before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday in a hearing entitled "Sustainable Housing Finance: An Update from the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency." In his testimony, Watt is expected to defend last month's decision to lift the suspension of the allocation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac funds into the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund. The suspension was enacted in November 2008, two months after the government seized control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Read More »FHFA Announces Policy Change For GSEs’ Existing REO Sales
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a policy change on Wednesday that would allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sell existing REO properties to any qualified purchaser at fair market value, which would be determined by the companies.
Read More »FHFA Announces Strategic Plan for GSE Conservatorship, Regulation of FHL Banks
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced its strategic plan for the fiscal years 2015 through 2019, reflecting the FHFA's priorities as a regulator and conservator of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as regulator of the 12 Federal Home Loan (FHL) Banks.
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