The reduction in fees for mortgages on homes that qualify for the GSEs’ housing goals are estimated to increase Fannie and Freddie acquisitions by 37,000 loans in 2025.
Industry trade groups noted that the increase comes on top of a 400% price hike over the past two years. They also argued that the credit re-porting bureaus will inevitably add additional price hikes.
Freddie Mac failed to win a complete summary judgment against an insurer who declined to pay claims related to a 2008 SEC investigation. The judge’s ruling makes it more likely the case goes to trial and discovery.
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.