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Industry observers have mixed reactions on whether next year's Republican-controlled Congress will finally address long-stalled efforts to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Commercial mortgage-backed security delinquencies declined during October, according to Fitch Ratings.

Mortgage insurers Radian Guaranty Inc. and MGIC Investment Corp. both saw their inventory of delinquent loans drop during October.

Despite policy changes that apply to new reverse mortgages, the rights for existing spouses of deceased borrowers remain unclear and subject to change until HUD and litigants agree on a final policy in line with court directives.

While the government-sponsored enterprises' move to allow down payments as low as 3% comes with some inherent risks, Fannie Mae executives are confident they can responsibly administer the new guidelines to ensure they're an effective tool for increasing access to credit.

Borrowers must have other factors such as housing counseling, stronger credit histories, or lower debt to income ratios to qualify for new low-down-payment loans, said FHFA Director Mel Watt.

Impac Mortgage Holdings lost $1.2 million this past quarter as total revenue declined by $4.6 million from the same period in 2013.

Essent Group, a mortgage insurance company based in Radnor, Pa., reported higher third-quarter profits, due to a surge in revenue from premiums.

Washington-based Fannie Mae, which has been under federal conservatorship for six years, had net income of $3.9 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30, according to a regulatory filing Thursday.

Redwood Trust Inc., the specialist in jumbo mortgages, said it entered into a risk-sharing deal with government-backed Fannie Mae on smaller home loans.