Critics argue the new second mortgage program is another attempt by Freddie Mac to expand its footprint. But GSE insiders say it’s already allowed under its charter.

The Mortgage Bankers Association and the Community Home Lenders of America are on opposite sides of the debate about allowing the GSEs to waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has long supervised the GSEs’ management of third-party risk from nonbank mortgage companies. But now for the first time it is examining nonbanks directly.

The Urban Institute, with funding from the National Fair Housing Alliance, has developed resources lenders can use to launch special purpose credit programs.

Don Layton applauded FHFA’s plans to reform the FHLBanks, arguing that it will take strong, independent supervision to prevent them from exploiting their government subsidy for private gain.

Industry trade groups as well as analysts believe the proposed waiver pilot is purely a political gesture and will, in fact, expose borrowers and lenders to financial risk.

The FHLBanks, like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have a public/private structure that can incentivize private profits at public cost. Don Layton, former Freddie CEO, said the banks are ripe for reform.

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

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