Gov’t Eases Fannie, Freddie Restraints
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fannie mae, freddie mac, mortgage crisis March 20th, 2008Government Enacts Plan to Ease Capital Restraints on Fannie, Freddie; Goal Is $200B Infusion
WASHINGTON (AP) — The government on Wednesday relaxed capital requirements at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of a plan to quickly inject an additional $200 billion of financing for home loans.
The initiative, which will require Fannie and Freddie to raise substantial funds, is part of a broader government strategy to ease a credit crisis that has made it difficult for consumers and businesses to borrow, and spread fear throughout global financial markets.
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, which oversees the government-sponsored companies, said the mandatory cash cushion for Fannie and Freddie — now nearly $20 billion for the two — will be reduced by a third under the new plan. The goal is to free-up money to help new home buyers take out loans and to help existing home owners refinance into more affordable mortgages.
Tags: fannie mae, freddie mac, mortgage crisis
