Freddie Mac

Coronavirus-related mortgages in forbearance grew 10 basis points between May 18 and May 24, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have different timelines for the switch.

Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level ever recorded by Freddie Mac, even as it appears the relationship to the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield has stabilized.

Forecasts about the pandemic's impact on the mortgage market have grown less dire after forbearance requests by homeowners nearly leveled off in the first half of May.

Coronavirus-related mortgages in forbearance grew 20 basis points between May 11 and May 17, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have relaunched existing websites to provide COVID-19 tools to borrowers and servicers.

Some observers wonder if proposed regulatory targets for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will stoke concerns about low shareholder returns. But others suggest those fears are unfounded.

Mortgage rates declined this past week, further continuing to help attract previously reluctant buyers back into the purchase market, according to Freddie Mac.

Not only is FHFA Director Mark Calabria preparing the GSEs to raise capital, but he must also help them decide just what they are selling to private investors in the way of equity returns and risk.

The much-anticipated proposal, which would not go into effect until after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are privatized, reflects Director Mark Calabria’s aggressive efforts to get the companies on a strong financial footing.