Capital markets

There seems be a general consensus that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should eventually be shut down.

Federal Reserve Gov. Elizabeth Duke said the improving housing market shows that the central bank’s $85 billion in monthly purchases are working to boost the economy.

Fitch Ratings said two potential reforms offer the most promise for bringing private capital back into the mortgage market.

There is one observer who is seeing people leaving larger organizations and returning to independent status.

Mortgage-backed securities have experienced enough gains for some agency real estate investment trust investors to question how much room they have left to run.

A Credit Suisse prepayment forecast suggests the slowdown in lower coupons last month will continue in March based on rate activity to date.

Ambac Financial Group has gotten a deadline for satisfying a condition of its reorganization plan extended.

Arlington Asset Investment Corp. has priced a public offering of 3 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $25.50 per share.

The Korea Housing Finance Corp. has issued a rated $500 million cross-border covered bond transaction denominated in U.S. dollars.

Freddie Mac purchased $43 billion in mortgage loans and securities in January, up 38% from the month prior.

Consumer attitudes toward housing and the overall economy are on opposite tracks, according to Fannie Mae’s latest national housing survey.

A $324.4 million large-loan commercial mortgage-backed securities deal backed by a mall in Valley Stream, N.Y., is coming to market.

We're hearing that a refinance now sometimes comes with your choice of dinner meats.

The Certified Resident Ratings & Reviews is a free online service that provides information and feedback on apartment communities compiled from certified rental residents.

The prices for the loans securing commercial mortgage-backed securities increased modestly during January, rising to 89.2% from 89% at the end of December.

Thirty-year conventional prepayment speeds have declined by 11% in the most recent month, according to Credit Suisse.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can be repaired and made to repay the U.S. Treasury for costs of their bailouts, according to Joshua Rosner.

Freddie Mac has priced its new 0.50% three-year Reference Notes security due on May 13, 2016 at 99.994 to yield 0.502%.

Rating actions taken by Moody's Investors Service on tranches issued by RASC in 2005 and valued at $1 billion in vintage loans indicate overall improvement in performance.

An executive believes agency real estate investment trusts are proving to be an appropriate vehicle for returning private capital to the mortgage market.