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News Releases

Announcements, publications, and news releases covering regulatory changes, policy updates, reports, news, initiatives, and the performance of the Enterprises in the housing finance sector.

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  • News Release

    FHFA Launches New Integrated Accounting System

    Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has implemen​ted a single, integrated accounting system—another major milestone for the young Agency. FHFA was established last July, by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA). FHFA combines the functions of the former Office...

  • News Release

    FHFA Authorizes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to Expand Home Affordable Refinance Program to 125 Percent Loan-to-Value

    PageContent Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency has authorized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to expand the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments from the present loan-to-value ratio ceiling of 105 to 125 percent. With these...

  • News Release

    FHFA Reports Mortgage Interest Rates, May 2009

    Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the average interest rate on conventional 30-year, fixed-rate, mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 1 basis point to 4.88 percent in May. The average interest rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans of $417,000 or less...

  • News Release

    U.S. Monthly House Price Index Estimates 0.1 Percent Price Decline From March to April

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. home prices fell 0.1 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from March to April, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 1.1 percent decline in March was revised to a 1.4 percent decline. For the 12 months ending in...

  • News Release

    Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loan Modifications Up by More Than 50 Percent In First Quarter

    Washington, D.C. – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac modified nearly 37,000 loans during the first quarter of 2009. It is an increase of 57 percent over the fourth quarter of 2008 and more than double the number of modifications in the first quarter of last year. The data were released by James B. Lockhart...

  • News Release

    FHFA Reports Mortgage Interest Rates, April 2009

    Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the average interest rate on conventional 30-year, fixed-rate, mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 18 basis points to 4.87 percent in April. The average interest rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans of $417,000 or less...

  • News Release

    Home Prices Fall in First Quarter (2009)

    PageContent Washington, D.C. – U.S. home prices fell in the first quarter of 2009 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) seasonally-adjusted purchase-only House Price Index (HPI). The previously announced, but revised January and February indexes showed increases in house prices...

  • News Release

    FHFA Receives Prestigious CEAR Award for Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability

    Washington, D.C. – On behalf of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Director James B. Lockhart will accept the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) for the Agency’s 2008 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR). The CEAR is the highest award for outstanding...

  • News Release

    FHFA’s First Report to Congress Details Annual Examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and The Federal Home Loan Banks

    Washington, D.C. – James B. Lockhart, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), today released FHFA’s first Report to Congress, detailing the findings of the agency’s 2008 annual examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks), and the Office of...

  • News Release

    FHFA’s First Report to Congress Details Annual Examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and The FHLBanks (2008)

    PageContent Washington, D.C. – James B. Lockhart, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), today released FHFA’s first Report to Congress, detailing the findings of the agency’s 2008 annual examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks), and the...