Researchers link fire sales by REITs at the beginning of the pandemic to sales by other financial institutions.

FHFA and CFPB insiders expect the new administration to make quick changes in agency leadership, a process made easier by Republicans gaining control of the Senate.

Despite low volumes and hints of trouble in the multifamily space, GSE profits remain remarkably healthy.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had $182.3 billion in mortgage holdings (measuring mortgage-backed securities and loans) at the end of the third quarter.

It doesn’t help that the Federal Housing Finance Agency is simultaneously trying to implement a bi-merge to replace the tri-merge method.

Remarkably steady net revenues at the GSEs mean fluctuations in profits are mostly due to below-the-line expenses. (Includes data table.)

In a busy week at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual conference, Freddie Mac rolled out an expansion of its repurchase alternative pilot. Officials also defended the closed-end second-lien pilot.

The far-reaching impacts of shifting from Classic FICO to a combination of FICO 10 T and VantageScore 4.0 have lenders worried about customer relations and fair lending problems.

Housing advocates say weaker goals don’t give the GSEs enough incentive to support underserved communities; lenders say they give needed leeway when markets are unpredictable.

The FHLBank is extending the terms and reducing the haircut on collateral pledged by non-depository CDFIs and state-chartered HFAs (which technically aren’t even members).