Freddie Mac

When a house is lost, so is much of the collateral on the mortgage. Here's how both lenders and homeowners can bounce back.

But the company took a credit loss provision in the fourth quarter, deciding to add to its reserves because of new mortgage acquisitions to its portfolio.

"Anything that is done around a safe and sound release is going to hinge on the effect of long-term mortgage rates," Bessent said. 

The market is watching to see how investors handle any market dislocations that arise as elected leaders look to reform the government-sponsored enterprises.

Trump's pick for treasury secretary commits to a thorough and careful recapitalization and release process for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Craig Phillips worked on early efforts to move the government-sponsored enterprises toward a conservatorship exit during the first Trump administration.

Mortgage rates have run higher since the most recent Federal Reserve meeting as consumer spending points to economic strength.

Releasing the GSEs from government conservatorship is on the agenda for the incoming Trump administration. Doing so could threaten the 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

Boomer wealth surged by $19 trillion in just under five years, with approximately half coming from home equity, according to new Freddie Mac research.

Valverde, who has a wide range of experience in capital markets and housing finance, will join the government-sponsored enterprise's single-family unit.