Refi applications increased by 23% on a weekly basis last week.

Although President Trump didn’t specifically mention a merger, that appears to be the implication of the post.

Mortgage portfolios at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased steadily throughout 2024 before declining during the first quarter of 2025.

Higher provisions for losses in the second quarter contributed to a 14.6% sequential drop in net income for the mortgage giant.

Lower head counts at the mortgage giant reduced administrative expenses by $145 million in the second quarter, though profits were still down 9% sequentially.

Much of the downturn was in pools with high concentrations of loans that accomplish GSE missions and other social goals.

Home price appreciation has been cooling amid elevated interest rates and declining demand for home purchases.

Barry Habib, the founder and CEO of MBS Highway, was appointed to the board of Fannie Mae.

While many of these tools have been included in GSE automated underwriting systems for some time now, both Fannie and Freddie are highlighting the role of third-party data, income modeling and rent recognition in reducing friction and expanding the pool of mortgage-eligible borrowers.

Jonathan Gould was the senior deputy comptroller and chief counsel at the OCC during the latter half of the first Trump administration.