Former MBA Chief Dave Stevens on the higher conforming loan limits: “For an industry led mostly by conservatives, this dependence on a socialized financial system is really ironic.”

Most of the refinancings facilitated by Fannie and Freddie are cash-out deals…

Year-to-date agency securitization of conforming-jumbos totaled $72.36 billion as of the end of September…

Stakeholders don’t anticipate the FHFA, with a new director nominated by President Trump, to move immediately to reduce the current benchmark loan limit...

HERA allows exceptions for the maximum conforming loan limits for “high cost areas.”

Arch Chief Economist DeFranco says despite lower sales, it’s still a seller’s market in most cities…

Making sure the MBS issued by the two GSEs perform identically, within narrow limits, is key to convincing traders…

A huge chunk of the fall-off in Fannie/Freddie MBS holdings occurred at Wells Fargo, which reduced its investment in these securities by $7.31 billion.

The implication is that banks – which seems to have excess capacity on their balance sheets – could simply hold conventional loans in portfolio…

Cowen believes Mnuchin will survive the turbulence but notes the situation still poses a risk to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the big banks…