All but one of the regional banks experienced a sequential decline in net income, but most reported an increase in voluntary contributions to mission-related activities. (Includes data table.)
Although outstanding advances increased slightly in the second quarter, most large banks and thrifts cut FHLBank borrowing from first-quarter levels. (Includes two data tables.)
High interest rates may mean lower acquisition volumes for the GSEs, but they also mean slower prepayment speeds for the mortgages in the agencies’ guarantee books of business. (Includes data table.)
Researchers say Fannie’s new social index serves as a successful spec pool story, generating meaningful pay-ups for social bonds that can help subsidize mission-related activities.
Researchers say strategic securitization by lenders exposes the GSEs to higher insurer counterparty risk, especially in regions with frequent climate-related disasters. The proposed cure: LLPAs and capital rules that compensate the GSEs for this risk.
Although FHLB borrowing declined in the first quarter, with lenders continuing to reduce outstanding advances, profits for the system as a whole were up 9.6% from the fourth quarter and 16.6% year to date. (Includes three data tables.)
Even though Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac maintained healthy profits in a tough market in the first quarter, their capital shortfalls under the ERCF remained absurdly high. (Includes data table.)