FHFA: 'Business as Usual' for GSE MF Ops

The regulator of the housing GSEs says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can continue to operate their multifamily businesses as usual, and they will not have to liquidate their holdings of Low Income Housing Tax Credits or mortgage revenue bonds. The support of the government-sponsored enterprises for multifamily housing finance is "central to the enterprises' public purposes," according to a statement issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. "FHFA has stated that business will continue as usual at the enterprises during the conservatorship -- this applies to both the single-family and multifamily businesses." Centerline Capital Group, New York, welcomed the FHFA statement. "Our multifamily financing business is still strong," Centerline president Marc Schnitzer said. "We expect to continue doing business with both companies in our multifamily and affordable housing lending practices."