FHFA Plans to Improve Efforts to Recover Losses from Certain Defaulting Borrowers

Foreclosure Freddie Mac Fannie Mae FHFA

On October 17, the FHFA Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported that the FHFA does not currently oversee the deficiency management programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and that some oversight is necessary. When borrowers default on mortgage loans held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Enterprises absorb the losses. To date, the Enterprises have only recovered a small fraction of losses by pursuing defaulting borrowers that may have the ability to repay, such as strategic defaulters, including those defaulting on vacation homes or investment properties. The FHFA OIG recommended, and the FHFA agreed, that the FHFA should collect from the Enterprises data about their deficiencies, their efforts to target defaulting borrowers who have the ability to repay their loans, and other related data. The FHFA also agreed with the OIG that with such information in hand, the FHFA can proactively oversee the Enterprises’ deficiency management programs and provide supervisory guidance on managing deficiency collections.