Freddie Mac

Freddie Mac appoints Kenny Smith as latest CEO

Freddie Mac appoints Kenny Smith as latest CEO

Kenny Smith, a former Deloitte Consulting vice chairman is the new CEO of Freddie Mac, the company announced. He starts his new position on Dec. 17. Processing Content Michael Hutchins, who occupied the seat twice on an interim basis, will remain as Freddie Mac’s president. Hutchins had replaced Diana Reid after she was ousted in […]

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Fannie, Freddie quietly add billions to mortgage-bond portfolios

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities and home loans to their balance sheets in recent months, fueling speculation that they’re trying to push down lending rates and boost their profitability ahead of a potential public offering. Processing Content The government-backed housing-finance giants increased their retained portfolios — the

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Freddie Mac issues updates mandating AI governance

Freddie Mac is updating its guidelines to include explicit language requiring mortgage companies to establish a clear artificial intelligence framework governing the technology’s internal use.  The new rules become effective on March 3, 2026 and mandates compliance with the policy for businesses using AI and machine-learning tools in connection with loans sold to or serviced

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GSE stock move stirs fears of advantage for big banks

As policymakers mull a potential stock offering that would distance Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship, speculation about the impact on various parts of the business’ ecosystem has run rife. Wall Street and big financial institutions in general, which have been in consultation with the Trump administration in regard to an offering, stand to

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GSE credit reform: Rent data impact on pricing and LLPAs

The transition toward updated credit score models at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, while less dramatic than a new stock offering, is a fundamental shift with widespread industry implications. These newer models, VantageScore and FICO 10T, are designed to replace the classic FICO tri-merge report currently central to many mortgage systems. Given that classic FICO

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What Fannie, Freddie uplisting would change for the GSEs

Multiple proposals have been in play for government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including some scenarios that could affect the status of their shares. The question for the industry now is how the various possible directions Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could take will affect the many mortgage-related businesses that work with them. This

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FHFA raises conforming loan limit to $832,750 for 2026

The baseline conforming loan limit is set to increase by 3.25% in 2026, with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now authorized to purchase mortgages up to $832,750 for one-unit properties in most parts of the country, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The new limit, aligned with home-price trends, indicates a weaker housing

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Fannie, Freddie shares mimic meme-stock mania with wild swings

Bill Ackman lit the fire and Bill Pulte supercharged it. Their influence helped drive retail traders to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose shares have soared more than 500% since Donald Trump’s election a year ago. But now, as equity markets are gripped by volatility and crypto assets suffer their worst rout in years, those

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Ackman proposes three-step plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Bill Ackman, the billionaire founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, proposed on Tuesday a three-step plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that could still be completed this year, while labeling a stock offering as “not feasible.” Ackman’s plan begins with an agreement letter between the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Housing

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Freddie Mac adds mortgage quality control automation tool

Fraud and misrepresentation remain persistent challenges in the mortgage industry and Freddie Mac is responding by bringing Quality Control Advisor Plus to the market, a tool which automates this compliance function. The tool is currently in a phased onboarding process with plans to make it available to all lenders by year-end, including the participants in

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