According to an analysis by a former FHFA economist, GSE market share ranges from 14.5% in Eagle Pass, TX, to 67.0% in Boulder, CO. Except for Puerto Rico, these disparities are widest in the South and Southwest.
Some economists argue that allowing originators to pick between VantageScore 4.0 and Classic FICO will lead to score inflation and lower revenue for the GSEs.
The administration’s firing of FHFA’s acting inspector general comes on the heels of the departure of several GSE executives and news that most of the ethics and internal investigations team at Fannie have been laid off.
If the merger of Rocket Mortgage and Mr. Cooper had been completed in time to include third-quarter numbers, the resulting company would have had a GSE servicing portfolio approaching $1.0 trillion.
Fannie Mae Chief Operating Officer Peter Akwaboah will serve as acting CEO, pending a search for Priscilla Almodovar’s successor. EVPs Brandon Hamara and John Roscoe will serve as co-presidents.
Allowing the GSEs, under certain conditions, to purchase up to $300 billion in agency MBS each could reduce mortgage rates by as much as 30 basis points, lender groups say.
Because VantageScore 4.0 typically yields higher credit scores than Classic FICO, it’s possible lenders will choose VantageScore, leading to higher scores and lower LLPA revenues.
The FHFA released its first strategic plan under the auspices of Director Bill Pulte. The plan reveals some differing priorities compared with the FHFA under the Biden administration.