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The end of Fannie and Freddie?

Aug 5, 2013
There's a proposal in Congress to let the taxpayer-backed mortgage giants die, and Marketplace's economics guy says we should all get behind it.

Fannie and Freddie to launch joint securities venture

Mar 5, 2013
The regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has announced an idea to reform the mortgage giants. It involves starting a joint venture to bundle mortgages into securities that people can invest in.

Fannie, Freddie to let some underwater homeowners walk away

Feb 1, 2013
Mortgage heavyweights Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced a bailout program for struggling homeowners who are current on their payments. If there's a pressing need to leave their property, they can just walk away.

Banks settle again, homeowners to get relief

Jan 7, 2013
In a costly day of legal settlements, 10 banks agree to pay $8.5 billion to four million homeowners for mishandling their foreclosures.

High salaries at Freddie, Fannie draw attention

Dec 10, 2012
A government watchdog released a report this morning that scrutinizes the pay of senior staffers at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The report is from the inspector general of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie and Freddie.

Justice Department sues Bank of America over mortgage fraud

Oct 24, 2012
The Justice Department says Countrywide Financial -- which B of A bought in 2008 -- cranked out bad home loans without proper checks to make sure they were legit, and then sold those mortgages to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Mortgage giants face new carrot -- and stick

Aug 17, 2012
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac get some slack on repaying government bailout funds. But they’ll have to shrink their businesses faster than planned.

For public good, not for profit.

Treasury to change relationship with Fannie, Freddie

Aug 17, 2012
There's word this morning that the Treasury Department is going to revamp its financial relationship with the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

A positive sign: Profits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Aug 8, 2012
Rising home prices contribute to profits for the bailed-out mortgage lenders. Higher home prices should help the real estate market and homebuyers, too.

How will the payroll tax cut be paid for?

Dec 23, 2011
The payroll tax cut is expected to be extended for another two months. How will lawmakers come up with the billions it's going to cost?