Because it controls the senior class of stock in Fannie and Freddie, the Treasury is in the driver’s seat on recap and release. Former Freddie CEO Layton weighs the government’s options, using AIG as a blueprint.
The proposed rule seeks to modify the minimum thresholds, frequency and number of scenarios required to bring the stress test rule for regulated entities in line with new rules that apply to other financial institutions.
After the FHFA director left the stage at a Federalist Society event, a panel of housing experts took issue with almost every facet of the Trump administration's plan.
A new report allays concerns that a recent request for input from the regulator regarding pooling practices was an indication that something was amiss.
Layton notes that in the first full quarter under the new UMBS regime the Freddie discount fell to just 1 basis point, 80% off its historic average, and dramatically lower than the 10 bp gap in 1Q19.
Part of the problem is that the current proposed rule was a product of the previous director and much has changed since the rulemaking began a year ago.
The FHFA director said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may fully exit conservatorship as early as 2022. Meanwhile, on FHLBank membership to non-banks, Calabria said the agency will soon be putting out a request for information.
The legislation appears to be a de facto extension of the qualified-mortgage patch, according to Cowen analyst Jaret Seiberg. He said the bill could be positive for housing by ensuring the supply of mortgage credit is not constrained.
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