Federal Reserve Keeps Buying GSE MBS

The Federal Reserve purchased $23.4 billion of GSE mortgage-backed securities for the week ending January 14 -- nearly double the previous week's amount. The Fed kicked off its $500 billion campaign to buy Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae MBS on Jan. 2, purchasing $10.2 billion in MBS during that week. Meanwhile, the two-week buying spree is having its intended effect of driving down mortgage rates. According to a recent survey by Freddie Mac, 30-year FRMs are now being offered below 5%, depending on the points. Separately, Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., wants the Fed to provide "detailed information" about its hiring of four investment managers to run the MBS purchase program. During debate on a Troubled Asset Relief Program bill, he expressed concerns about conflicts of interest. The Treasury Department also remains active in the MBS market. It purchased $21.8 billion in Fannie and Freddie MBS in December after purchasing $23.2 billion in November. The Fed reports its MBS purchases weekly while Treasury reports its MBS purchases monthly.