The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its 2018 Report to Congress. The report meets the requirements of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. It provides information about FHFA’s 2018 examinations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises), 11 Federal Home Loan Banks and the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Office of Finance. The report also describes FHFA’s actions as conservator of the Enterprises.
In the report, FHFA Director Mark Calabria encourages Congress to act on housing finance reform while also requesting chartering authority similar to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “There is urgent need for Congress to act on housing finance reform. To promote competition in the marketplace, I encourage Congress to authorize additional competitors and provide FHFA the same powers as other federal financial regulators.”
The legislative recommendations outlined in the letter include:
- Acting on housing finance reform;
- Increasing competition; and
- Strengthening the FHFA’s regulatory powers.