GSEs

Mortgage execs begin lobbying FHFA to lift lender sales cap

The Community Home Lenders Association has called for suspension of federal limits on the loan volumes that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase from individual lenders. The demand came on the same day that the Biden administration fired FHFA Director Mark Calabria and started the process of nominating his successor.

By Brad Finkelstein
Originations Editor
National Mortgage News

FHFA veteran reflects on 20 turbulent years in housing finance

For two decades, Alfred Pollard served as the general counsel for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s regulator. He had a front-row seat for the establishment of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the government’s subsequent seizure of the mortgage giants amid mounting losses in 2008 and the more recent legal dispute over the FHFA’s authority.

By Kate Berry
Reporter
American Banker

Confusion over CFPB underwriting rule persists

Fannie and Freddie's regulator says the companies must comply with the new Qualified Mortgage standard by the summer, while the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has extended the deadline to 2022. The conflicting timetables have stoked uncertainty in the market.

By Hannah Lang
Reporter
American Banker

Fannie Mae earnings rise due to accounting switch

Hedge accounting will align Fannie’s reporting with competitor Freddie Mac, and will address a mismatch between the recorded value of financial instruments used to offset interest-rate volatility on mortgages and the loans themselves.

By Bonnie Sinnock
Capital Markets Editor
National Mortgage News