Though Freddie Mac’s net income was lower this quarter than last, the GSE will still pay $2.2 billion in dividends to the U.S. Treasury for this quarter, according to its recent financial results report. The agency saw single-family revenues, purchase volumes, and mortgage-related investments all decline for Q1. These declines, according to Freddie Mac CEO Donald Layton, were due to steady interest rates and low market spreads
Read More »DeMarco Tapped to Head HPC
The Financial Services Roundtable has appointed Ed DeMarco to head its Housing Policy Council. DeMarco has previously served at FHFA, the Treasury Department, the Milken Institute, and the Social Security Administration. He takes the helm starting June 1.
Read More »FHFA Reports Drops In Refinances
According to a report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, total Refinance volume has dropped as mortgage rates have risen. In February 2017, borrowers completed 4,198 refinances through HARP, and since HARP’s inception in 2009, the program has made 3,456,422 refinances. HARP represented three percent of total refinance volume, and six percent of loans refinanced through HARP had a loan-to-value ratio greater than 125 percent.
Read More »FHFA Releases GSE Progress Report
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.
Read More »Fannie, Freddie Transfer $18B in Risk
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.
Read More »Home Values Rising to Meet or Recover Previous Losses
Homes in 54 areas now meet or exceed their values in pre-crisis days. Other home values are approaching their former values.
Read More »Interest Rates Continue Trend
The FHFA reported increased interest rates alongside decreasing loan amounts.
Read More »RBS Sets Aside Billions for Settlements
Does the Royal Bank of Scotland’s announcement of additional provisions on Thursday mean the bank will soon reach a settlement with the FHFA?
Read More »Court Deals a Blow to Fannie Mae Shareholder Hopes
The Federal Housing Finance Agency is taking over for Fannie Mae shareholders as the plaintiff in a lawsuit against accounting firm Deloitte & Touche accusing the company of negligent auditing practices, a move which may ultimately lead to the case's dismissal.
Read More »GSEs Hit Loan Modification Milestone
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say they have made foreclosure prevention, specifically keeping families in their homes, a priority since the foreclosure crisis peaked six to seven years ago.
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