FHFA recently changed the upfront fees charged by Fannie and Freddie, in part to help meet the highly conservative capital requirements imposed on them by former Director Mark Calabria. Now, critics of the fees have joined critics of the conservatorship.

As the Biden administration focuses on ending discrimination in appraisals, trade groups and industry advocates call for standards on reconsiderations of value.

Fannie has updated its selling guide to provide modest flexibilities on manufactured home loans, adjustable-rate mortgages and cash-out refinances.

New MBS disclosures from Fannie and Freddie reflect changes in property valuation methods.

HeritageOne will provide financing for single-family homes located on federally designated tribal lands. Only primary residences are eligible.

Outstanding FHLBank advances have only surpassed $1 trillion one other time. Banks and thrifts — including now-failed institutions — boosted their advance usage in the first quarter. (Includes three data charts.)

The GSEs say the spike in repurchase requests simply reflects the historic volume in 2020 and 2021. Lenders argue there should be something short of a repurchase request for performing loans with minor defects.

FHFA is seeking input on the return on capital standards that apply to the GSEs and components of g-fees, among other issues.

FHFA Director Sandra Thompson noted that the GSEs have yet to seek approval for new products under a new FHFA initiative.

The new tool is expected to help first-time homebuyers and borrowers from underserved communities who might not have qualified under old-school underwriting.