Christopher Whalen

The assumption that conservatorship can end without significant changes in how the GSEs operate may be the most dangerous one of all.

The shift to nonbank lenders will put the breaks on non-qualified mortgage and home equity line of credit origination growth.

Recapitalizing the GSEs by cutting off returns to the government would essentially be buying the GSEs from the taxpayers with money that belongs to the taxpayers.

Historically, rising interest rates have enabled banks to earn more, but this time around in the banking industry, like much else, things are a little different.

Some hopeful souls in Washington believe the commercial banking industry will return to originating and servicing higher-risk mortgages, but most banks are more likely to continue withdrawing from the sector.

Weak profits and the threat of false claims charges are keeping banks out of the market for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Policymakers should differentiate between housing finance-related issues of real importance to the greater public interest, and those that concern only special interests.

The expansion of the Federal Reserve’s portfolio of Treasury debt and mortgage-backed securities has a bigger impact on the credit markets than paying banks interest on excess reserves.

Contrary to expectations about growing mortgage lending volumes, current industry trends suggest a gradual reduction in capacity for both lending and servicing that should alarm policymakers.

Over the next 40 years, the rate of homeownership is likely to continue to decline further as changes in demographic trends, increased regulation and stagnant incomes make that dream harder to achieve.

The cost of capital and regulatory compliance has convinced the top four banks that making home loans to American families is not worth the risk.

Republicans are unlikely to push the ball forward on reform of the federal housing agencies, but Congress has a number of other opportunities to make changes that will encourage mortgage lending.

Proposals in Congress to change the structure of the government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seem to be languishing in this election year.

By addressing concerns about how distressed loans are resolved, banks and non-banks alike can make a virtue out of necessity and regain the trust of policy makers and the public.

The housing sector is increasingly a drag on consumption and job creation. The fault lies not with the market but with ill-considered regulations and bank capital rules.

Before consigning millions of Americans to lives of perpetual tenancy, we need observers on all sides of the housing reform debate to put aside rhetoric and focus on market realities.