The Federal Housing Finance Agency today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) have published revised Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements (PMIERs) for private mortgage insurance companies that insure mortgage loans either owned or guaranteed by the Enterprises. As Conservator to the Enterprises, FHFA directed the Enterprises to strengthen their risk management requirements for mortgage insurance counterparties. In April 2015, the Enterprises published financial and operational eligibility requirements that private mortgage insurers must meet to receive approved insurer status with the Enterprises. Those requirements became effective December 31, 2015.
The revised eligibility requirements reflect changes to the financial and operational requirements for the Enterprises’ mortgage insurance counterparties. The revised eligibility requirements become effective on March 31, 2019.
“Periodic reviews and updates to the PMIERs reduce the Enterprises’ risks and protects taxpayers,” said FHFA Director Melvin L. Watt. “The updated requirements incorporate feedback from the mortgage insurance industry and also fulfill a key Scorecard priority for the Enterprises.”