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freddie mac posts

Barney Frank encourages Fannie, Freddie to relax lending standards

Outspoken congressman Barney Frank has no shortage of critics, and they're sure to be out in force today. This morning, The Wall Street Journal reported that the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, along with his colleague Anthony Weiner, is actually recommending that Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) relax their lending standards on condominiums.

The controversial request follows a decision by both Fannie and Freddie to tighten mortgage-lending standards for condos. In March, Fannie said it would no longer guarantee mortgages on condos in buildings where fewer than 70% of units have been rented, up from its previous benchmark of 51%. Freddie is due to implement similar measures in July. In a letter to the CEOs of both mortgage lenders, Reps. Frank and Weiner expressed their concerns that the higher standard "may be too onerous," and asked the lenders to "make appropriate adjustments" to their approach.

Continue reading Barney Frank encourages Fannie, Freddie to relax lending standards

$12.9 trillion for economic recovery. Where is it?

Here is today's quiz. If you were given $1,000,000 to spend each day, how many days would it take you to spend $12.2 trillion dollars? You are probably wondering where the number $12.2 trillion came from? Well, this is the amount of money the government has committed for economic recovery.

Some of the monies can be accounted for but its still a big mystery where the rest went. So far we know this:

Continue reading $12.9 trillion for economic recovery. Where is it?

The 'big picture' of our economy

In celebration of Barry Ritholtz's critically-acclaimed new book Bailout Nation, he held The Big Picture Conference, which I was fortunate to attend.

Here are the main points from the most reputable speakers, Congressman Alan Grayson, Nassim Taleb, Doug Kass, and Josh Rosner.

Florida Congressman Alan Grayson discussed how systemic risk is an excuse for socialism and that interconnectedness is the main reason that these institutions are "too big to fail." In fact, these institutions no longer hold social or economic purpose, they are simply too big to exist.

Continue reading The 'big picture' of our economy

US mortgage rates rise sharply

Did you hear? Mortgage rates are surging. That should be no surprise. All we had to do was look at the sharp sell off in US treasuries and you know that mortgage rates would follow suit. The 30 year fixed rate mortgage rate jumped to 5.29%, up from 4.91% just a week ago. On April 2nd the rate was 4.78%.

Just to give you an example in real dollar terms, let's take a $200,000 30 year fixed mortgage at 5.29%. Your monthly payment would be $1109.37 and your 30 payments would be $399,372.25. At 4.91% your monthly payment would be 1062.67 and your 30 payments would be $382,560. So in real dollar terms your cost has risen $16,812.00. In addition lenders are charging 0.7% in fees and points, unchanged from the previous week.

Continue reading US mortgage rates rise sharply

Freddie Mac's earnings fall as delinquencies increase

Late Tuesday, Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) reported that its quarterly net loss checked in at $9.9 billion thanks to rising delinquencies. The company also blamed the results on continued impairments on its holdings of mortgage-backed securities. On a per share basis, FRE's quarterly loss increased to $3.14 a share, compared to $151 million a year ago, or 66 cents a share. The mortgage lender's total revenue dropped to $771 million from $1.41 billion a year ago.

FRE put aside $8.8 billion in provisions in order to cover credit losses for the first quarter, up from $7 billion in the final quarter of 2008. FRE attributed this to the increase in the number and rate of delinquent mortgages, coupled with increasing foreclosure-related losses.

Continue reading Freddie Mac's earnings fall as delinquencies increase

Doomsday Scenario: 80% home default spike in CA, Freddie Mac CFO suicide

Back to the trenchant trenches. More bad housing news came out of California. The loan default rate spiked 80% in the first quarter, according to DataQuick. This is a precursor to a HUGE spike in foreclosures (defaults are the first step down this road) and a strong indicator that the real estate market in California still has another leg down. Even wealthy spots like Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties are showing mid-double digit increases in default notifications.

Continue reading Doomsday Scenario: 80% home default spike in CA, Freddie Mac CFO suicide

Closing Bell: Directionless market, but directed stocks (BA, CAL, COF, FRE, WFC, OSTK)

Despite the market being up the last hour, today's stock market made six changes between being up and down. Oil inventories continued their building to record or near-record levels. It was very light on the economic calendar today so traders had to use the cumulative earnings as the directional report. Even very weak global recovery targets from the IMF were ignored.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 7,886.41 -83.15 (-1.04%)
S&P 500 843.56 -6.52 (-0.77%)
Nasdaq 1,645.85 +2.00 (0.12%)

Top Analyst Upgrades
Top Analyst Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Directionless market, but directed stocks (BA, CAL, COF, FRE, WFC, OSTK)

Freddie Mac CFO found dead in apparent suicide

It's times like this that all of the vitriol spewed at heads of companies seems a bit overdone. Reportedly, Freddie Mac's (NYSE: FRE) acting Chief Financial Officer, David Kellermann, has been found dead in an apparent suicide.

According to reports, Kellermann's wife found his body and alerted the authorities early this morning. While the police have yet to confirm suicide, most outlets covering the report are saying it was. And while Bloomberg is reporting the death was "unintended," it's been reported that Kellermann's wife told police it was a suicide.

Continue reading Freddie Mac CFO found dead in apparent suicide

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac planning massive retention bonuses

According to a report today in The Wall Street Journal [subscription required], Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) -- those twin titans of mortgage mayhem -- are planning to dish out $210 million worth of retention bonuses over the next 18 months. James Lockhart, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, explained that $51 million in payouts were distributed in late 2008, with the rest of the bonuses to be disbursed through 2009 and into early 2010.

The news is already raising politicians' ire, since Fannie and Freddie are staying afloat only through the grace of government bailouts. The two lenders reported combined losses of roughly $108 billion in 2008, says the Journal, yet 80% of Freddie's employees and 61% of Fannie's payroll will score retention bonuses based on this bleak operating performance.

Continue reading Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac planning massive retention bonuses

Fannie Mae next in line to hand out questionable bonuses

Who is ready for a second round of bonus outrage (dare I call it a "bonus" round)? This time it is Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) that has awarded retention bonuses to four of its top executives -- let's see how mad everyone gets about this one.

The mortgage company told the SEC in a recent filing that it is going to award bonuses between $470,000 to $611,000 to four of its top executives. As is the nature of a bonus, this payment is on top of the executives' already-hefty base pay.

Continue reading Fannie Mae next in line to hand out questionable bonuses

Federal Reserve buys bonds

There is an old saying: "never fight the Fed." If you had been short this bond market, you probably could be wiped out in one afternoon. When the Federal Reserve made its announcement a short time ago that they were buying long term securities the futures on the long bond jumped 4.25 basis points, or more that $4000.00 on just one contract. If you were long say 10 contracts you would be sitting on a $40,000 profit this afternoon.

Continue reading Federal Reserve buys bonds

Portfolio Killer #4: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

I lump these zombies -- our first zombies -- together because everyone else does.

You and I are now the proud owner of these lifeless monsters, which have hundreds of billions of dollars in obligations on mortgages of declining quality.

What's more, for political reasons, their future will not be resolved for several years.

True shareholder value: zero

Michael Shulman is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.


Freddie Mac wants another $30 billion from government

Son says to his father: "Dad, can I have $20.00 to go to the movies?" Dad says: "I just gave you $20.00 a few days ago, what happened to that money?" Son says: "I spent it and I'm broke again."

Just change the names to Freddie and the US Treasury. Freddie is broke again. and wants another $30 billion from the US Treasury."Look I only lost $23 billion this time." From what has occurred in the past ,this is a sure bet.

Continue reading Freddie Mac wants another $30 billion from government

Freddie Mac CEO calls it quits after a few months

When Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) were taken over by the government in September, both were given new CEOs to replace the clowns who got them into the mess.

Now Freddie Mac's CEO is heading for the exits. In a press release, the company said that CEO David Moffett would resign as CEO and as a member of the board no later than March 13. From the press release:

Moffett indicated that he wants to return to a role in the financial services sector. In his letter of resignation, he said, "I have enjoyed my time as CEO of Freddie Mac and I wish all the great employees the very best in the days to come."


Continue reading Freddie Mac CEO calls it quits after a few months

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Last updated: July 10, 2009: 03:11 AM

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