“Any time you can take risk away from the taxpayers and give it to the private market is a win,” he said.

Trump’s nominee to head FHFA didn’t do anything to embarrass himself at his confirmation hearing this week, but he also didn’t demonstrate a deep understanding of housing finance.

Even though their businesses depend on Fannie and Freddie, private mortgage insurance providers don’t seem worried about the Trump administration’s efforts to release the GSEs from conservatorship.

Historically, the GSEs maintained vast portfolios that generated the lion’s share of their profits.

Affordable housing advocacy groups may be using defective data to come to their conclusions about first-time homebuyers, according to a newly published research note.

But Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursued different strategies in their retained mortgage portfolios. (Includes data table.)

Freddie Mac’s superior performance in 2024 was largely due to higher profits in its multifamily business.

Steady growth in retained earnings means Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now have a large pile of interest-free capital to invest.

Affordable housing advocates may be overestimating the challenges first-time homebuyers face in the current housing market.

Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's plans both received a middle-of-the-road score from the Underserved Mortgage Markets Coalition.