Three names are being kicked around to head Ginnie Mae, the government’s $2 trillion MBS guarantor: Robert Couch, Clinton Jones and Joe Murin. But is something else afoot?

The agency is seeking comment on an initial draft policy guidance for accepting digitized mortgages and loan packages as underlying collateral for Ginnie MBS.

The White House plans to nominate someone to lead Ginnie Mae but given the current political turmoil in Washington, is this a pipe dream? Investors don’t seem worried about the agency, at least not yet.

Ginnie Mae, the government guarantor that backs $2 trillion in mortgage assets, still doesn’t have a permanent president even though the election took place three years ago. Will anything change?

The Appropriations Committee has asked HUD to analyze the role outside contractors play in carrying out Ginnie’s mission-critical functions.

The agency has removed restrictions on NewDay USA and Sun West Mortgage from including VA single-family loans in multi-issuer pools.

Treasury recommends Congress authorize Ginnie Mae to provide “last position” guarantee on MBS backed by conventional and multifamily home loans as well as give it the flexibility to adjust its guarantee fee.

Ginnie Mae announced new rating requirements and risk factors to improve and strengthen its oversight of MBS program participants.

Ginnie Mae stress tests should be limited to issuers with largest and riskiest portfolios, the industry group suggested.

Ginnie Mae’s counterparty risk measures, including stress testing, are credit positive for the MBS sector but may be daunting for smaller participants, says Fitch Ratings in a new report.