The approaching expiration of Treasury’s warrants on Fannie and Freddie stock and the possibility of a second Trump administration have revived debate on the potential end of the conservatorship of the GSEs.

New research shows, in some instances, lenders passed on to borrowers as much as 120% of the cost of the fee, which ended in July 2021.

As the Trump campaign gathers steam, investors seem to believe that means the GSEs are more likely to be released from conservatorship.

Consumers are feeling little optimism for the 2024 housing market as affordability concerns continue to push would-be buyers away from purchasing a home next year.

Insurance in force has been the main driver of earnings growth for private mortgage insurers.

Private mortgage insurers benefit from recurring revenue from insurance-in-force, which makes declines in originations less problematic.

A perfect storm in the mortgage market could spur industry consolidation in the next year, according to a recent Keefe, Bruyette & Woods report.

Analysts agree that bringing management in-house is a long-term positive but differ on whether it improves value in the short run.

Fannie joins Freddie in accepting attorney title opinion letters instead of title insurance. Industry observers said the new option will mostly impact refinances, not purchases.

Analysts puzzle over the pace and timing of quantitative tightening, which is expected to widen MBS spreads and raise interest rates.