Freddie Mac

Both the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Federal Housing Administration are extending relief for homeowners and renters due to the pandemic crisis.

The mortgage giants were criticized earlier this month for a plan to charge an "adverse market fee" to protect against losses resulting from the pandemic.

There were questions about the GSEs' use of structured credit risk transfers in the single-family market given an earlier pandemic-related market disruption.

Lenders initially won't be able to pass on the cost of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's "adverse market fee" to borrowers whose rates on GSE-backed mortgages and refinances are already locked in.

The number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance decreased for the ninth consecutive week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

But the 30-year fixed remains below 3%, which should continue to support increased demand.

The new “adverse market fee” for refinanced mortgages resembles steps the companies took to combat the 2008 mortgage crisis. But critics charge it isn’t necessary and will hurt borrowers’ ability to tap into low rates.

In a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Mortgage Bankers Association recommended adding six more months to the latest GSE patch proposal.

The collateral pool consists of 59 loans for mostly older garden-style and mid-rise apartment buildings that have undergone recent upgrades and renovation.

The agency said property owners can enter into new or modified forbearance plans if they have a hardship due to the coronavirus, but the landlords must agree not to kick out renters solely for nonpayment of rent.

The mortgage servicing rights package going up for bid adds to signs that the market for large offerings is becoming more active.

The number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance fell for the seventh straight week, but the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts the rate will increase if the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise.

The size of the decline depends on how bad the economy sinks and if the coronavirus spread is halted.

The mortgage giants will have to meet benchmarks for covering cash flow needs during stressed periods. The FHFA views the requirements as a prerequisite to the companies exiting conservatorship.

Mortgage rates fell 2 basis points this week, remaining near their historic lows as they have for the past month with the markets roiled by uncertainty, according to Freddie Mac.

The number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance dropped for the sixth consecutive week, as the growth rate fell 6 basis points between July 13 and July 19, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage rates rose for the first time in six weeks, going back the above the 3% mark, as spreads to the 10-year Treasury yield widened again, according to Freddie Mac.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have imposed heavy price adjustments for loans that were granted relief under the pandemic relief law enacted in March.

The number of loans going into coronavirus-related forbearance dropped for the fifth straight week, as the growth rate plummeted 38 basis points between July 6 and July 12, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency will extend the same GSE benchmarks of the past three years into 2021.