Skip to main content

Treasury and FHFA Reach Agreement on GSE PSPAs

Sep 30, 2019
Photo credit: Getty Images/peshkov

The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) have agreed to modifications to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) designed to allow the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to retain additional earnings in excess of the $3 billion capital reserves currently permitted by their PSPAs.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, which were recommended in the Treasury’s housing reform proposals released on Sept. 5, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be permitted to maintain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively. These proposals also called on the Treasury and the FHFA develop recapitalization plans for the GSEs, which are now in their eleventh year under federal conservatorship, and the agreement included a notice that subsequent amendments to the PSPAs may be appropriate to facilitate the implementation of any eventual recapitalization plans.
 
The Treasury added that in order to compensate for the dividends that it would have received absent these modifications, the Department’s liquidation preferences for its Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock will gradually increase by the amount of the additional capital reserves until the liquidation preferences increase by $22 billion for Fannie Mae and $17 billion for Freddie Mac.
 
“These modifications are an important step toward implementing Treasury’s recommended reforms that will define a limited role for the Federal Government in the housing finance system and protect taxpayers against future bailouts,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
 
“The Enterprises are leveraged nearly 1,000-to-one, ensuring they would fail during an economic downturn–exposing taxpayers once again,” said FHFA Director Mark Calabria. “This letter agreement between Treasury and FHFA, which allows the Enterprises to retain capital of up to $45 billion combined, is an important milestone on the path to reform.”

 
About the author
Published
Sep 30, 2019
Fed Rate Could Be Down To 4.6% By Year's End

Inflation must hit its 2% goal for Fed to reduce rates.

New Compliance Requirements Add Challenges

Latest changes arrive at an already disruptive time in the mortgage industry

Changes Coming For Investment Properties

Using leases to qualify will require Proof

FCC Adopts New Rules To Close The 'Lead Generator Loophole'

Mortgage lead providers respond, saying this will "wipe out" several small and mid-tier businesses

Trade Associations & Lenders Stand Behind Trigger Leads Bill

Major trade associations like The MBA, NAMB, and BAC, urge action on S. 3502.

Supply And Demand Are Still Alive And Well

Treasury auctions may face weaker demand but they’re still getting done