Freddie Mac posted a $23.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter, noting that its regulator has filed a request with the U.S. Treasury for $30.8 billion in new funding to maintain the GSE's net worth position above zero.
For the full year, Freddie lost a stunning $50.8 billion, a record for the company which has been operating under a federal conservatorship since early January. Two weeks ago Freddie's fellow GSE, Fannie Mae also a ward of the government reported a 4Q08 net loss of $25.2 billion and full year loss of $58.7 billion.
Freddie's new CEO John Koskinen blamed the quarterly loss on mark-to-market accounting adjustments of $13.3 billion, and problems in its derivatives portfolio, among other items. The mortgage investing giant also cited credit related charges on its residential portfolio.
The firm cited rising delinquencies, weak labor markets, and "steeper" declines in home prices. Freddie and Fannie together invested well over $200 billion in subprime-related securities during the height of the nonprime boom.
