FHFA IG Recommends Improved Freddie Mac Servicer Oversight

Freddie Mac Mortgage Servicing

On March 7, the Inspector General (IG) of the FHFA published a report related to the FHFA’s supervision of Freddie Mac’s controls over mortgage servicing contractors. The report found areas in which the FHFA could enhance its supervision of Freddie Mac’s controls over those contractors. Specifically, the report found with regard to servicer oversight that the FHFA has not (i) clearly defined its role, (ii) sufficiently coordinated with other federal banking agencies, or (iii) addressed emerging risks in a timely manner. The IG recommends that the FHFA (i) promulgate comprehensive regulations or guidance regarding servicer oversight, (ii) direct Freddie Mac to implement servicer performance metrics more broadly, and (iii) improve existing procedures for coordinating with other federal agencies. The report includes a response letter from the FHFA, which highlights the FHFA servicing oversight initiatives to date and indicates whether and how the FHFA plans to implement the IG’s recommendations.