FHFA seeks input on proposed g-fee hikes

The FHFA is looking for public input on the 'optimum level of g-fees'

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is requesting public input on the guarantee fees that are charged to lenders by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The fees are charged to cover the GSEs’ costs for guaranteeing mortgages should the borrowers fail to pay. In December, then-acting FHFA Director Edward DeMarco announced that the agency would hike the fees. The proposed changes included an across-the-board increase of 10 basis points.

When Mel Watt assumed the directorship in January, however, he suspended the fee hikes pending further review. The FHFA’s current request for input includes “questions related to g-fee policy and implementation regarding the optimum level of g-fees required to protect taxpayers and implications for mortgage credit availability.”

Input must be submitted no later than Aug. 4. Those wishing to provide input can write to: Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Policy Analysis and Research, 400 7th St. SW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.

Input can also be submitted online by visiting FHFA.gov or clicking here and selecting “guarantee fees” from the pulldown menu.