The share of current production loans that sellers have to buy back from GSE securities pools remained miniscule, although volume was up in the first quarter. (Includes data chart.)

Freddie Mac continued to report significantly more repurchase activity in the first quarter of 2020 and the pipeline of unresolved claims was up from the end of 2019. (Includes two data charts.)

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will purchase single-family mortgages that are in forbearance. But there’s a catch: steep LLPAs.

If the coronavirus crisis goes on for more than six to eight weeks, FHFA Director Mark Calabria sees mortgage servicers under “a lot of stress.”

Although only a minuscule share of GSE loans are subject to buyback requests, officials still keep a spotlight on the issue. Fannie recently refreshed its seller QC self-assessment. (Includes data chart.)

Fannie Mae posted significantly lower loan repurchase numbers than Freddie Mac for the fourth quarter, at the same time withdrawing a relatively larger share of buyback claims. (Includes two data charts.)

As part of Freddie’s voluntary retirement program, 700 employees have taken a buyout. Most are expected to be gone by the end of March.

Industry advocates point out that, unlike other forms of credit-risk transfer, private mortgage insurance stands in front of all other losses.

About 87% of buyback activity in the third quarter was related to loans sold to Fannie and Freddie in 2018 and the first half of 2019. (Includes data chart.)