The GSEs’ regulator has backtracked on its controversial rules for commingled securities.

Almost all of the decline in combined GSE profits was due to a spike in loan-loss provisions. But while Fannie’s provisions continued to grow in the fourth quarter, Freddie’s may have peaked in the third quarter. (Includes data chart.)

Will lower FHA premiums steal market share from the GSEs? According to analysts, private mortgage insurer pricing still makes the GSEs the better execution for borrowers with credit scores over 680. But private MIs are still nervous.

The mortgage giant has introduced new valuation options as it moves away from the policy that “appraisal is a default requirement.”

Deciding whether the GSEs should use FICO or VantageScore or both turned out to be the easy part. The hard part is going to be the multiyear process of figuring out how to use the scores together.

FHFA plans to host nine roundtable discussions and a three-day listening session as part of its review of the Federal Home Loan Banks.

Sonu Mittal, who joins the enterprise from the C-suite at Citizens, will be a member of Freddie’s senior operating committee.

Fannie Mae put money away for a rainy day; Freddie Mac postponed its fourth-quarter earnings report.

After a hung jury, shareholders will head back to court for a second chance at proving FHFA was in breach of contract when it agreed to the net worth sweep with Treasury.

Critics argue that, by targeting deep-pocket institutional buyers, the enterprises’ sale of non-performing and reperforming loans removes homes from the buyers’ market and makes it impossible for nonprofit organizations to participate meaningfully.