Housing finance reform

In his first public policy speech as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Mark Calabria stressed that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have to raise significant capital via a public offering and take other steps in order to escape government control.

Two senators, a Republican and a Democrat, have revived legislation that would prohibit Congress from using certain fees collected by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to offset unrelated government spending.

New FHFA Director Mark Calabria isn't just charting a future for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but also fixing problems resulting from the "qualified mortgage" exemption for the GSEs and taking a "deep dive" into problems in the mortgage servicing market.

The new head of the agency regulating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be at the forefront of reforming the housing finance system.

A bipartisan proposal would allow for the removal of the FHFA director if the agency approves CEO salary increases at Fannie and Freddie beyond $600,000.

B. Riley FBR initiated equity coverage on Fannie Mae as the chances for privatization of the government-sponsored enterprises improved in a housing finance reform package.

The administration official will serve a five-year term as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's chief regulator.

After a brief delay, the agency’s acting director signed off on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac contributing to the National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund.

Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York signaled which legislative provisions Democratic leaders would accept in a bipartisan housing finance package.

American Banker's Rob Blackwell and Cowen’s Jaret Seiberg discuss Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the future of housing finance

As lawmakers discuss reform legislation, the president’s memo calls on agencies to draft both administrative and legislative reform options and deliver their reports “as soon as practicable.”

The government-sponsored enterprises have continued to expand over the past decade, despite being in conservatorship. New leadership at the FHFA should reverse this trend.

Lawmakers still have a long way to go before enacting housing finance reform, but the testimony could signal how future legislative talks will play out.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency in recent years has required Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to contribute to the funds every March, but has yet to make a 2019 request. Housing groups see the delay as a troubling sign.

David Brickman will take the helm of the mortgage giant at a time of transformation in the mortgage market and housing finance policy.

There’s bipartisan consensus that the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are unsustainable, but that may not be enough for lawmakers to upend the current system.

As debate over the future of the mortgage finance system heats up, policymakers must ensure that small banks and credit unions maintain equitable access to the secondary market.

The Senate Banking Committee will hold two hearings at the end of March on Chairman Mike Crapo’s most recent framework for housing finance reform.

In remarks to credit unions, the Senate Banking Committee Chairman said that fixing the government-sponsored enterprises and data security were priorities.

American Banker and National Mortgage News are offering an exclusive discussion of how policymakers may revamp Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and what that will mean for mortgage lenders of all sizes.