Despite saying he will nominate former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, President Trump appears to be sticking with FHFA Director Bill Pulte as acting DNI.

A new Milliman study finds that FICO 10T is more predictive of default risk across the full range of credit scores. VantageScore said the study is full of “statistical swindles.”

Some economists suggest Fannie and Freddie should accept mortgages that include a modest prepayment penalty as a way to keep residential mortgage rates lower. But that would be a political challenge.

Milliman researchers calculate that the capital benefit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac receive for their CRT activity reduces their capital requirement by about 20%.

A senior executive at the mortgage giant provides a rare glimpse into the how the new credit score impacts lender operations.

Two main sources for lender liquidity are working to improve communication and simplify collateral exchange.

Until Fannie and Freddie are more transparent about the loan-level pricing adjustment grids for the new credit score, lenders and investors will remain cautious about its implementation.

If FHFA reduces the GSEs’ capital requirements, that would be a key signal that efforts are moving forward to end the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

FHFA argued that the award was an unjustified windfall for GSE shareholders, many of whom knew about the net worth sweep when they purchased the stock.

Industry watchers believe GSE reform is probably off the table until after the mid-term elections at least, as the administration’s focus has shifted to other priorities.