GSE reform

Wall Street is weighing in on the possible fate of home loan giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, after a fleeting suggestion by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this week that the government's stakes could eventually become part of the proposed US sovereign wealth fund.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte is the new chair for both and he has removed several members while adding a few new names at each.

Three Democratic senators joined Republican colleagues to confirm the businessman, who previously voiced his support for easing government regulations.

Ryan Donovan, the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks' CEO, foresees affordable housing mandates becoming more focused on home supply than demand.

The grandson of the PulteGroup founder did not elaborate on plans for a much-anticipated government-sponsored enterprise exit from conservatorship.

Trump's housing policies risk destabilizing multifamily markets by cutting HUD and GSE support, writes the chairman of Whalen Global Advisors.

If the government were to end the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conservatorships, the new status could constrain CRT deal ratings, as they are counterparties.

"Anything that is done around a safe and sound release is going to hinge on the effect of long-term mortgage rates," Bessent said. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's stock were downgraded to "underperform" by KBW as they are currently priced above its expectations.

If the GSEs are privatized with only their current capital levels, respondents indicated risk premiums on MBS would widen by as much as 45 basis points or more.