Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac saw a combined 11.7% increase in securitization of high-balance loans that exceeded the national baseline limit of $726,200 for one-unit mortgages during the third quarter.

FHFA Director Sandra Thompson will leave any decision on expanding membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system up to Congress.

While interest rates have declined in recent weeks, concerns persist about the wide spread between the 10-year Treasury rate and interest rates on mortgages.