The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its annual Report to Congress, covering calendar year 2019. The report addresses several topics related to the fulfillment of FHFA’s statutory responsibilities and the financial condition of FHFA’s regulated entities: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks). The report makes recommendations to Congress about potential legislation to enhance the safety and soundness of the regulated entities and move our nation toward a stronger, more resilient housing finance system. It also provides an overview of FHFA’s policy response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
“There are critical vulnerabilities in our housing finance system that put taxpayers and our housing market at risk. The financial stress on our mortgage markets caused by the COVID-19 crisis is only the latest example,” said FHFA Director Mark Calabria. “FHFA will continue to take administrative action, pursuant to the Agency’s statutory responsibilities, to ensure that the regulated entities operate in a safe and sound manner to foster liquid, efficient, competitive, and resilient national housing finance markets. However, only Congress can resolve the flaws in the structure of the nation’s housing finance system. Reform is long overdue. The time to act is now.”
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 2019 examinations of the Enterprises and the FHLBank System. The report also describes FHFA’s actions as conservator of the Enterprises.