Senators question whether Freddie Mac has strayed from its mission

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) joined his Senate colleagues in a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency to request responses to recent reports that Freddie Mac had strayed from its mission to support home ownership, and had taken financial interests against American homeowners.

Recent reports indicate that Freddie Mac has placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates. These bets were reportedly taken while the agency has been slow to assist borrowers in high-interest mortgages with refinancing.

In the letter, the Senators wrote, “If the inability of homeowners to refinance their homes enhances Freddie Mac’s bottom line, this is especially troubling. Freddie Mac exists to support the housing market, and should not have a financial incentive to make it more difficult for struggling homeowners. Such actions by Freddie Mac are contrary to the best interests of American homeowners, sound economic policy, and its mission.”

Additionally, the Senators asked to be provided with lists of any specific transactions, including the dollar amounts and when such investments were made; information for each transaction regarding who at Freddie Mac made the investment decision and the details for how that decision was reached; copies of any policies and procedures for FHFA or Freddie Mac that relate to such investments; and details regarding any actions FHFA has taken or intends to take to ensure that Freddie Mac does not engage in transactions giving rise to such conflicts of interest in the future.

In addition to Senator Pryor, the letter was signed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).

The content of the letter follows:

We are compelled to write in response to deeply troubling reports that Freddie Mac has strayed from its mission to support home ownership, and has taken financial interests against American homeowners.

Congress chartered Freddie Mac in 1970 to stabilize the nation’s residential mortgage market, expand opportunities for homeownership and affordable rental housing, and provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the mortgage market. Despite that mission, and recent testimony by Freddie Mac’s Chief Executive to Congress, it has been reported that Freddie Mac has been putting its financial interests in direct opposition to American homeowners. This ward of the government has reportedly “placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates.” These bets were reportedly taken while your agency has been slow to assist borrowers in high-interest mortgages with refinancing.

If the inability of homeowners to refinance their homes enhances Freddie Mac’s bottom line, this is especially troubling. Freddie Mac exists to support the housing market, and should not have a financial incentive to make it more difficult for struggling homeowners. Such actions by Freddie Mac are contrary to the best interests of American homeowners, sound economic policy, and its mission.

At a time when the FHFA and Government Sponsored Enterprises are requesting additional taxpayer support, it is irresponsible that Freddie Mac would be involved in such activities. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae should be winding down the speculative trading practices that brought them to their knees, not engaging in more.

The FHFA should prohibit conflicts of interest and ensure that the financial interests of Freddie Mac are aligned with American homeowners and sound economic policy. And it should ensure that the financial interests of executives are also aligned with those of the organizations, and that their compensation is reasonable. We are troubled by reports that the executive responsible for overseeing Freddie Mac’s investment portfolio earned $2.5 million in 2010, and had target compensation of $2.6 million in 2011, when most of these bets were made. This kind of compensation is completely unacceptable at an entity that is supported by taxpayer funding. It is even more offensive when that compensation is a reward for betting against American homeowners.

We request that you provide us with:

(1) a list of any specific transactions, including the dollar amounts and when such investments were made;

(2) for each transaction, information regarding who at Freddie Mac made the investment decision and the details for how that decision was reached;

(3) copies of any policies and procedures for FHFA or Freddie Mac that relate to such investments; and

(4) details regarding any actions you have taken or intend to take to ensure that Freddie Mac does not engage in transactions giving rise to such conflicts of interest in the future.

We look forward to your prompt response.