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.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has opposed the extension of the risk-sharing program, which provides capital to housing finance agencies that offer FHA loans for affordable multifamily rental properties.

The equity investment is led by Liberty Strategic Capital, a firm headed by former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Wholesale-broker platforms took a significantly bigger share of the shrinking refinance market in 2023 as consumer-direct/retail volume lost ground. (Includes six data tables.)

Questions posed by Supreme Court justices during oral arguments suggest the court could rule in favor of banks seeking preemption from state laws requiring interest payments on mortgage escrow accounts.

The new program will help reduce the number of buyback requests lenders receive for loans that are defective but still performing.

Nonbanks are under increased pressure as borrowers face skyrocketing obligations on taxes and insurance. Concurrently, there’s a risk that interest rates will decline, cutting into MSR values.

If regulators take an aggressive stance, the final capital rule could be out by May. The other option would be to re-propose the rule, which could leave the rulemaking unfinished if there’s a change in administration.

Both Democrats and Republicans have little interest in GSE reform, according to discussions this week at the SFVegas conference.

Top Congressional leaders have announced a deal on six bills that will fund several federal agencies, including HUD, USDA and VA.