Tag Archives: Edward DeMarco

Freddie Mac announced Tuesday that it has obtained an insurance policy intended to attract new sources of private capital from non-mortgage guaranty insurers and reinsurers.

Senate Republicans blocked on Thursday a vote on the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-North Carolina) to head up the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Watt's nomination was stopped in a 56-42 vote to end the debate over his confirmation. Sixty votes were needed to invoke cloture and move forward. The agency has been led since 2009 by acting director Edward DeMarco, who has attracted criticism from Democrats and consumer advocates who say he hasn't gone far enough to help distressed homeowners.

With Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting Director Edward DeMarco considering lowering loan limits for the GSEs, congressional and industry leaders are speaking out against such a plan, saying it poses a threat of hindering the housing recovery. In the last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Federal Credit Unions, and 66 House representatives have all written to DeMarco, decrying the potential move and even questioning its legality.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has taken the next step toward building a new common securitization platform for the GSEs with the filing of a certificate to establish a joint venture.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the launch of a new nationwide campaign intended to encourage eligible borrowers to contact their lenders about the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). "With the launch of this campaign we look forward to reaching those homeowners who may not know about the program or understand the eligibility criteria to take advantage of today's low interest rates by refinancing through HARP," said FHFA Acting Director Edward DeMarco.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is facing a lawsuit from a housing group for allegedly failing to uphold the GSEs' obligations to make contributions to a housing trust fund. The National Low Income Housing Coalition announced the suit Tuesday. According to the group, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have not met their requirements to pay into the National Housing Trust Fund. Law requires the enterprises to transfer a portion of the value of their new business into the fund, though it was suspended in 2008.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced Thursday it is extending the life of the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Originally slated to expire at the end of this year, HARP will now expire December 31, 2015. The agency also announced it plans to launch a campaign in an attempt to reach more eligible borrowers for the program. While FHFA stated it can't provide "hard estimates" on the number of additional homeowners who are eligible, the hope is for a substantial number to be reached.

In a letter addressed to the president as well as the Senate majority and minority leaders, a group of attorneys general representing nine states refer to Edward DeMarco, acting head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as a "direct impediment to our economic recovery" and called for his replacement. The attorneys' general complaint stems from DeMarco's refusal to allow the GSEs to engage in principal reductions for struggling and underwater homeowners.

The goal of attracting private capital into the mortgage market is at the center of discussions throughout the industry and the government. Thus far, efforts by the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA) and other federal agencies to provide incentives for the creation of a vibrant private mortgage securitization market have been largely unsuccessful, according to Fitch Ratings. However, the ratings agency does see some promise in a couple of FHFA's goals for this year.

While Edward DeMarco, acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), anticipates the gradual reduction of the GSEs in the housing market, he does not believe either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac will exit conservatorship and return to the private sector. As such, FHFA's goals for this year expand on last year's three main goals of building an infrastructure for the future of the secondary market, contracting the GSEs' role in the market, and maintaining the GSEs' foreclosure prevention and credit availability efforts.