Acknowledging Warehouse Crisis, FHFA Asks for Proposals

Acknowledging that non-depository mortgage bankers are facing a warehouse funding crisis, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said it has met with industry leaders and is seeking proposals on how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can play a role in solving the problem.Glen Corso, who runs an advisory group called The Warehouse Lending Project, said he is working on a proposal where Fannie and Freddie would use their "guarantee authority" to help warehouse banks move the loans "off-balance" sheet which would alleviate capital charges on the credits. Mr. Corso said TWLP soon will submit its ideas to FHFA. The Mortgage Bankers Association is expected to submit a proposal too, but on Monday the trade group did not return a telephone call about the matter. In a statement FHFA said it has met "with a number of industry participants and others to try to develop solutions."