FHFA Requests Comments On Guarantee Fees

Freddie Mac Fannie Mae FHFA G-Fees

On June 5, the FHFA issued a request for input regarding its proposed increases to guarantee fees (g-fees) that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge lenders. Earlier this year, FHFA Director Mel Watt halted g-fee changes announced by the agency under Mr. Watt’s predecessor. Those changes would have (i) raised the base g-fee for all mortgages by 10 basis points; (ii) adjusted up-front fees charged to borrowers in different risk categories; and (iii) suspended the up-front 25 basis point adverse market fee in all but four states. The FHFA now poses more than a dozen questions for commenters to consider and respond to as the FHFA assesses future policies regarding g-fees. Comments are due by August 4, 2014.