Treasury’s stake in the GSEs should be used to create a joint venture focused on affordable housing. Also, to ensure success, Fannie and Freddie should be converted into utilities, two industry pros recommend.

New Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has yet to pick who will lead housing policy and GSE reform in the Biden administration. However, liberal think tanks may be a good place to look.

Newly installed SBC Chair Sherrod Brown lambasted FHFA for ignoring the spirit of the CARES Act by allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sell nonperforming and reperforming loans during the pandemic.

The amended preferred stock purchase agreement provides Treasury with a liquidation preference, which undermines the GSEs’ ability to afford an exit from conservatorship.

Mortgage insurers have endorsed the proposed guidelines, even arguing the process should be made more transparent and objective. However, Quicken believes it will stifle innovation by the GSEs.

The FHFA is looking for stakeholder views on the risks faced by the GSEs and the supervisory and regulatory framework necessary to meet these challenges.

Their new Senate majority, albeit a slim one, should make it easier for Democrats to pass key budget priorities. But what does it mean for Fannie and Freddie?

New multifamily caps, announced in November, also included changes to the definition of “mission-driven.”

FHFA said the plan to have “living wills” is akin to what the Federal Reserve and the FDIC require for their bank charges.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he is “not going to do anything that jeopardizes taxpayers.” But his real concerns? How to adequately capitalize Fannie and Freddie first.