Both the size and the composition of the portfolios of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have shifted as the mortgage market slows. (Includes data chart.)

Net interest income in the second quarter was up 28% year over year at Fannie, while investment gains were down 75% at Freddie.

FHFA is working on an alternative to the single counterparty fee, triggered by a controversial provision in the new capital rule, that requires the GSEs to hold capital against one another as counterparties.

Much like in other parts of the MBS and ABS markets, spreads are widening on CRT issuance from the GSEs, prompting some changes in activity at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Angel Oak Director Robert McDonough noted the difficulties in pricing climate risks into securities. However, once investors can more actively analyze risks, residential MBS loan pools are likely to change, he said.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plan to resume bulk acquisitions of seasoned mortgages from lenders. However, the purchases will be focused on smaller lenders.

Industry groups argue that assessing fees on commingled collateral could undermine market confidence in the UMBS.

Fannie Mae will publish refi application activity on a weekly basis, helping MBS investors better gauge prepayment trends.

Modest increases in short-term and medium-term debt may indicate Fannie and Freddie are ready to return to the capital markets.

The first Black woman to serve as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency squeaked through the confirmation with just one Republican vote, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota.