Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'fannie mae'

House Panel: Fannie, Freddie Ignored Warnings

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

The top executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have appeared on Capitol Hill to answer questions about why they ignored warnings that they were taking too many risks. The House Oversight Committee released e-mails showing that the two mortgage giants ignored warnings that they stay away from riskier loans.

Charities Struggle Just When Needed Most

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Just when unemployment and homelessness are spiking, charities are struggling. Companies and foundations that were often big supporters of local charities are among the biggest victims of the economic downturn. In the Washington, D.C. area, the largest charitable donors — to the tune of $47 million a year — were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty visits one shelter for battered women, where staffers are trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

Government Officials Go To 'Bailout Well' Again

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Federal officials are hoping they have finally found a way to jump-start the sagging credit markets and get the economy moving again. It involves buying or guaranteeing up to $800 billion in debt — much of it held by the giant mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Treasury Unveils New Plan To Bolster Markets

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The Bush administration and the Federal Reserve have unveiled a stepped up plan to fight the ongoing financial crisis. The Fed is committing as much as $600 billion to shore-up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Fed and Treasury are also moving to get the economy going again by putting up to $200 billion to work in secondary markets for consumer lending.

Fed To Buy Up To $600 Billion In Mortgage Assets

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:58:00 EST

The Fed said it will purchase up to $100 billion in direct obligations from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as the Federal Home Loan Banks. It also will purchase another $500 billion in mortgage-backed securities — pools of mortgages that are bundled together and sold to investors.

Despite Bailouts, Immediate Results Few

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:57:00 EST

U.S. officials have lavished aid on Fannie Mae and AIG and neither company shows any signs of stabilizing. Meanwhile, the first $350 billion of the Treasury Department's TARP fund is largely committed and the government is yet to purchase its first mortgage-backed security.

Fannie, Freddie Unveil More Help For Homeowners

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:45:00 EST

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced new plans to expand and accelerate their loan-modification programs. Under the plan, the mortgage giants will speed up renegotiation on thousands of delinquent loans that they hold.

Credit Crisis Spreads To Hospitals, Colleges

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EDT

The credit crisis has moved from big institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to smaller institutions like hospitals, colleges and non-profits. Rising interest rates are limiting their ability to expand, and they warn rising debt payments will cut into staff and services.

Why Did Buffett Invest $5 Billion In Goldman...

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Billionaire Warren Buffett bet on a Wall Street revival by buying a $5 billion stake in Goldman Sachs. The move may be designed to help people feel more confident in the market. Also, the FBI says it's investigating Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers and insurer AIG for potential mortgage fraud.

Amid Takeovers, Government's Load Examined

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EDT

The Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department are involved in the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Fed is also the potential owner of American Insurance Group. Its capacity to handle the takeovers is examined.

Stocks Fall Sharply On Lehman, Merrill Lynch News

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:22:00 EDT

U.S. stock prices are down sharply as investors digest the news of another major financial collapse on Wall Street. This weekend, the government decided not to help rescue Lehman Brothers, as it did Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As a result, it has filed for bankruptcy. Also Sunday, Merrill Lynch agreed to sell itself to Bank of America rather than suffer the same fate.

Government Financial Rescues On The Rise

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The government stepped in to help Bear Stearns and recently orchestrated a takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. How far will the government go to rescue other firms like Lehman Brothers? Business journalist Joe Nocera talks with host Scott Simon about the moral and practical hazards.

Fannie Mae Raises Billions In Debt Offering

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Fannie Mae was able to raise $7 billion Wednesday without having to pay a big premium. Analysts call this an indication that the federal government's decision to take over the troubled mortgage company has helped the housing market.

Payouts For Ousted CEOs Anger Shareholders

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Some shareholders are upset that the outgoing executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may receive big payouts after the federal government took over the troubled companies. They say it's an example of corporate executives receiving millions in compensation after dismal performances.

Did Fannie, Freddie Use Incentives To Boost Stocks...

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Neil Weinberg, senior editor at Forbes magazine, talks with Renee Montagne about whether executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac used financial incentives to pump up the mortgage giants' stock prices.

Global Nightmare: If Fannie And Freddie Had Failed

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:16:00 EDT

The U.S. takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may end up costing American taxpayers a bundle. But world economic leaders say the cost of not saving them would have been unimaginable.

Understanding The Fannie/Freddie Takeover

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:31:00 EDT

The U.S. government has taken control of troubled housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and their top executives have been removed. Economics experts weigh in on what the bailout means for U.S. and Chinese investors.

Bailout Hits Mortgage Brokers

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The federal bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is sure to trickle down to every corner of the real estate market. Ernie Gonnelly, a mortgage broker in Cape Coral, Florida, explains how the bailout has changed his business.

Mortgage Rates Tumble On Fannie-Freddie News

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:49:00 EDT

Financial markets around the world reacted favorably to the U.S. government's plan to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the United States, the move sent interest rates down, raising hopes in the real estate industry that prospective buyers may be ready to enter the housing market.

Big Severance Packages Await Fannie, Freddie CEOs

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:43:00 EDT

The government takeover of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has cost CEOs Daniel Mudd and Richard Syron their jobs. But Fannie Mae's Mudd could collect more than $9 million for leaving, while Syron could receive exit pay of more than $14 million.

Sen. Dodd Questions Fannie-Freddie Takeover

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, has questions about the government's takeover plan for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae after receiving assurances over the summer that such a bailout would not be needed. Dodd talks with Renee Montagne.

Obama Talks Fannie, Freddie In Michigan

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:31:00 EDT

Sen. Barack Obama campaigned in Michigan in a bid to shore up support for his presidential run. He discussed the economy and the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Plan To Shrink Fannie, Freddie Sees Opposition

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:12:00 EDT

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says there is a flaw in Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's structure. He would like to see them get much smaller as soon as conditions permit, but Paulson's plan is already running into opposition in Congress.

Fannie, Freddie Takeover Ends Lobbying

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac includes an edict to stop lobbying. The two "government-sponsored enterprises" have been among the most aggressive and generous entities working Capitol Hill.

What You Should Know About Fannie, Freddie Rescue

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:14:00 EDT

The government initiated a rescue plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Sunday. The two companies have been placed into a conservatorship as a means for reinvigorating the U.S. housing market.