Mortgage delinquencies up at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!
WASHINGTON - January 9, 2010 - Delinquent home loans at government-controlled mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged 20% from July through September, according to a new report by the companies' regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Almost 1.6 million borrowers had not made their mortgage payments for at least two months. That's about 5.18% of all borrowers. Year to year, the number of delinquencies has more than doubled.
The regulator said the rates were increasing in part because of "continued deterioration" in the companies' businesses "as home price and economic conditions remain challenging."
But it also said that District-based Fannie and McLean-based Freddie are taking steps to delay foreclosures, which may prolong payments as borrowers try to use government programs meant to make it easier to adjust the terms of their loans.
Almost 1.6 million borrowers had not made their mortgage payments for at least two months. That's about 5.18% of all borrowers. Year to year, the number of delinquencies has more than doubled.
The regulator said the rates were increasing in part because of "continued deterioration" in the companies' businesses "as home price and economic conditions remain challenging."
But it also said that District-based Fannie and McLean-based Freddie are taking steps to delay foreclosures, which may prolong payments as borrowers try to use government programs meant to make it easier to adjust the terms of their loans.
