FHFA Capital Rules Proposal Leaves Some Wanting More
June 22, 2018
The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s proposed new risk-based capital requirements for the GSEs released last week has some industry participants asking the regulator to take it a step further. Although the $180.9 billion combined capital requirement won’t go into effect now and is merely an example of what would be if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were not in conservatorship, the FHFA is seeking comment on the proposal. Capital requirements for the duo have been suspended since the 2008 conservatorship, but FHFA Director Mel Watt said it’s important for the regulator “to articulate our views on capital requirements and to start a healthy discussion about the amount of capital the enterprises should have to appropriately shield taxpayers from assistance.”