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.

The trade group called for an all-of-government effort to solve the housing affordability crisis. That includes the GSEs.

Fannie Mae belatedly joined Freddie Mac in establishing ground rules for seller/servicers that deploy or manage artificial intelligence or machine learning tools while doing business with the enterprise.

Fannie Mae extended duration by shifting from short- to long-term debt, but allowed overall debt to grow. Freddie de-levered by cutting short-term debt without adding to long-term debt.

Since 2016, when the duty-to-serve rule compelled the GSEs to make it easier to buy homes in rural census tracts, home prices have remained mostly stable and rents have declined.

Trump budget ignores GSE reform; Morningstar DBRS affirms AAA ratings on GSEs; Vice Capital an early adopter of new low loan balance payment categories; Fannie to simplify income eligibility calculations for some LLPA waivers.

Experts at the bond giant criticized the random MBS purchases, GSE public offering plans and guarantee-fee reductions.

Officials at Fannie and Freddie say mortgage fraud remains rare but is growing more sophisticated.