Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are both government-sponsored enterprises that play crucial roles in the U.S. housing market, but they differ in their origins, the types of loans they purchase, and the lenders they work with.
Overview of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
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Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) was established in 1938 to provide liquidity to the mortgage market and make homeownership more accessible. It primarily buys loans from larger commercial banks.
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Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) was created in 1970 to expand the secondary mortgage market and provide competition to Fannie Mae. It typically purchases loans from smaller banks, credit unions, and community banks.
Key Differences
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Types of Lenders:
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Fannie Mae: Primarily buys mortgages from larger commercial banks.
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Loan Programs:
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Historical Context:
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Market Influence:
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Similarities
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They operate under the oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and have been under government conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis.
In summary, while Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac serve similar purposes in the mortgage market, their differences in lender relationships, loan programs, and historical contexts shape their unique roles in promoting homeownership and housing stability in the U.S.