“The deeper mortgage insurance pilot transaction that Freddie Mac is conducting represents an important step in the ongoing effort of both Enterprises to enhance their credit risk transfer programs.  Assessing the feasibility of such front-end credit risk transfer structures is a conservatorship priority and was included in the 2016 Scorecard for the Enterprises.  The Enterprises have been working with individual mortgage insurance companies on this important issue over the last several months. 

“The pilot transaction Freddie Mac is announcing today is consistent with the principles FHFA laid out in June in our Single-Family Credit Risk Transfer Request for Input, including the ability of an Enterprise to manage their counterparty exposure and thereby reduce taxpayer risk.  This transaction will include mortgage loans that are originated by lenders of all sizes and it also has certainty of coverage and collateral requirements that are consistent with other credit risk transfer transactions.  Further, the coverage begins at the time the loans are delivered to the Enterprise, consistent with FHFA’s definition of a front-end credit risk transfer.

“FHFA’s Request for Input closes on October 13.  The performance of this pilot transaction and the feedback we receive from stakeholders will be critical as FHFA explores additional ways to enhance the Enterprises’ credit risk sharing with private investors.”

Additional Information:

Freddie Mac news release

Single-Family Credit Risk Transfer Request for Input