FHFA, Treasury Suspending Certain Portions of 2021 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced today they are suspending certain policy provisions added in January 2021 to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) that govern Treasury’s support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).

NAHB, together with the American Bankers Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Realtors®, sent a letter to Treasury and FHFA on Sept. 9, 2021 recommending the policy changes that we believe have caused -- or had the potential to cause -- disruptions to the housing market. The suspended provisions include limits on the Enterprises’ cash windows (loans acquired for cash consideration), multifamily lending, loans with higher risk characteristics, and second homes and investment properties.

The suspended provisions include limits on the Enterprises’ cash windows (loans acquired for cash consideration), multifamily lending, loans with higher risk characteristics, and second homes and investment properties.

The Enterprises will continue to build capital under the continuing provisions of the PSPAs. FHFA also continues to direct the Enterprises to operate in a safe and sound manner consistent with their statutory mission, and to foster resilient housing finance markets given prevailing housing market conditions, which include elevated demand relative to available inventory. Additionally, FHFA is reviewing the Enterprise Regulatory Capital Framework and expects to announce further action in the near future.

Letter Agreement for Fannie Mae