HLTVs, Default Risk Mounting at Freddie

Freddie Mac's guaranteed loan portfolio is becoming more vulnerable to defaults due to a growing number of single-family mortgages with high loan-to-value ratios. The percentage of Freddie loans with LTV ratios above 90% had doubled over the past four quarters to 28% as of March 31. These mortgages are "more likely to default in the event of financial hardship," the mortgage giant says in its first quarter financial report. The company expects home prices will decline 5% to 10% this year and unemployment to rise, which will increase credit losses. In March, the percentage of single-family loans 90 days or more past due rose to 2.29%, up 57 basis points from Dec. 31. "We expect our delinquency rates will continue to rise in the remainder of 2009," Freddie says.