Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported strong financial results for 2024, in what could be the last annual report for the enterprises under government conservatorship. Fannie Mae booked net income of just under $17 billion for the full year, about 2 percent below what it reported in 2023. In its statement, Fannie said last year’s performance was driven by guaranty fee income on its $4 trillion guaranty book of business, “consistent with the transformation of our business model that began well over a decade ago.”
Within days of the introduction of legislation to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency’s director was let go by President Donald Trump. Neither action was surprising to those paying attention to the new administration or the Republican-controlled Congress. The agency has been a point of contention in Congress since it was formed as part of Dodd-Frank in 2010.
As new President Donald Trump tapped a new director for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the agency has hit the brakes on a major initiative. Trump announced a few days before his January 20 inauguration that he was nominating Bill Pulte to lead FHFA. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Sandra Thompson, who resigned just prior to Inauguration Day.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) have amended the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) between Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The move was made “to help ensure that the eventual release of the GSEs from conservatorship will be orderly.” The new agreement contained two key provisions.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has lowered the benchmarks for affordable housing goals for loan purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The move came despite concerns that the agency should be more aggressive in promoting low-income housing, not less. FHFA issued a final rule last week that establishes new affordable housing goals over the next three years, and updates the process for requiring an action plan when an enterprise misses certain goals.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported strong financial results for 2024, in what could be the last annual report for the enterprises under government conservatorship. Fannie Mae booked net income of just under $17 billion for the full year, about 2 percent below what it reported in 2023. In its statement, Fannie said last year’s performance was driven by guaranty fee income on its $4 trillion guaranty book of business, “consistent with the transformation of our business model that began well over a decade ago.”
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Within days of the introduction of legislation to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency’s director was let go by President Donald Trump. Neither action was surprising to those paying attention to the new administration or the Republican-controlled Congress. The agency has been a point of contention in Congress since it was formed as part of Dodd-Frank in 2010.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
As new President Donald Trump tapped a new director for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the agency has hit the brakes on a major initiative. Trump announced a few days before his January 20 inauguration that he was nominating Bill Pulte to lead FHFA. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Sandra Thompson, who resigned just prior to Inauguration Day.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) have amended the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) between Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The move was made “to help ensure that the eventual release of the GSEs from conservatorship will be orderly.” The new agreement contained two key provisions.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has lowered the benchmarks for affordable housing goals for loan purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The move came despite concerns that the agency should be more aggressive in promoting low-income housing, not less. FHFA issued a final rule last week that establishes new affordable housing goals over the next three years, and updates the process for requiring an action plan when an enterprise misses certain goals.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
With the new year a few weeks away, industry experts are forecasting increased volume and profitability for mortgage lenders in 2025. Last month, Fitch Ratings published an outlook for non-bank mortgage companies. The ratings agency noted that consolidation in this market has strengthened the largest companies in this sector.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Fannie Mae announced the latest version of its Desktop Underwriter (DU) software last week, but the enterprise isn’t treating this like the usual release. For starters, Fannie has announced version 12.0 nearly two months before it’s released. The enterprise is also using multiple channels to promote the new version, including a promotional video, a white paper, and a Perspectives Blog, in addition to the software release notes.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The housing and mortgage industries have seen a surge in demand for rural homes since the COVID pandemic, according to Fannie Mae research. The main factor helping increase rural housing demand was the opportunity many were given to work remotely. Demand for space and low mortgage rates also contributed, though those trends bolstered home buying in all areas in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
A Fannie Mae survey of mortgage executives shows wide support for standardizing and simplifying the language around closing costs and fees. The survey of senior mortgage executives, conducted in July, found that 60 percent of respondents said closing costs are easy to estimate, and 50 percent said they are easy to explain.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
More data released so far this month has reinforced the trend that mortgage processors and underwriters have been keeping busy lately with home refinance loans. Optimal Blue, a mortgage analytics provider, reported a surge in refinance volume in its September Mortgage Data Report.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Bonnie Wildt
I have said it before and I will say it again and that is, do not believe everything you hear or read for that matter. In this particular instance I am referring to AUS Findings. I have had countless conversations with processors and loan officer who want to know why I am asking for documentation that the AUS findings have clearly stated wasn’t needed or worse, they can’t believe I am turning a loan down that has an Approve/Eligible. So here it is again and pay particular attention to the details because just because you have an Approve/Eligible or Accept doesn’t necessarily mean you have a done deal.