Fannie Mae

The economic contraction will keep mortgage rates low for the foreseeable future.

The agency's announcement came one day after the agency said it would provide borrowers struggling to stay current with an additional payment deferral option.

Homeowners hurt by coronavirus were told they could delay their mortgage payments without facing consequences. Now, some are learning they’re at risk of being shut out of the housing market.

Eligible borrowers can add the forborne payments to the end of their loan term.

Previously, mortgage firms concentrated on borrower-facing systems at the expense of internal experience.

The number of mortgages in coronavirus-related forbearance rose by 37 basis points as the unemployment rate soared, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Consumer sentiment for home buying fell to its lowest point since November 2011, according to Fannie Mae.

The government-sponsored enterprises have set new temporary limits on mortgage sales while extending processing flexibilities related to COVID-19.

The other parts of the Day 1 Certainty program regarding income and asset verifications remain in effect.

Some benefits are materializing from Fannie Mae's pledge to limit servicers' exposure to principal-and-interest advances the way Freddie Mac does, but counterparties of both GSEs remain exposed to other concerns.