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• The Treasury Department announced that it is seizing the U.S.'s top mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on September 7, 2008.FOXNews: Government Takes Over Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (September 7, 2008)

  The Treasury Department reportedly finalized its plan to temporarily take over the two companies, the largest mortgage financiers in the U.S, in early August 2008.The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Near Deal on Fannie, Freddie (September 6, 2008) The plan, which would place the companies under the conservatorship of the federal government, is intended to minimize risk to the U.S. housing market.Agence France-Presse: US could take over mortgage giants... (July 11, 2008)

  The companies' stock value plummeted to record lows on July 11, 2008, after the New York Times first reported the bailout plan.The New York Times: Fannie and Freddie Shares Slide, Dragging Down Stocks (July 12, 2008)

  U.S. stocks rose on September 8, 2008 after the bailout.The Edge Daily: Wall Street soars on Fannie, Freddie bailout (September 9, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Fannie Mae created in 1938
  2. Freddie Mac created in 1970
  3. Companies are "government-sponsored enterprises"CNN Money: The $5 Trillion Mess (July 11, 2008)
  4. Created by Congress
  5. Companies are government created but publicly owned
  6. Created to absorb risk in mortgage market
  7. Intended to make loans more appealing to traditional lenders
  8. Have an implicit guarantee the U.S. Government will not let them failCNN Money: The $5 Trillion Mess (July 11, 2008)
  9. U.S. Government announced the seizure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on September 7, 2008FOXNews: Government Takes Over Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (September 7, 2008)

• Impact on the Market

  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac borrow money to buy mortgages from lenders. They do this under a mandate from the federal government to reduce the risk of lending for traditional banks and the cost of borrowing for homeowners.Reuters: Paulson Shoots Down Fannie, Freddie Bailout (July 11, 2008)

  Together, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac own or cover $5 trillion in debt, roughly one half of the entire mortgage debt in the United States. If they were unable to continue buying mortgages from lenders, as many analysts fear, it would become nearly impossible for people to obtain home loans, bringing the already slowed housing market to a complete standstill.Reuters: Paulson Shoots Down Fannie, Freddie Bailout (July 11, 2008)

• Under a Conservatorship

  Under such a deal, the federal government would assume a guardianship role over the companies. Tax payers could become responsible for supporting the companies' losses.Agence France-Presse: US could take over mortgage giants... (July 11, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Fannie Mae | Freddie Mac | Mortgages | Subprime Mortgage Crisis | Bear Stearns | Lehman Brothers | Lehman Bankruptcy | Franklin Raines

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