Highlights
- A government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that provides liquidity to the U.S. housing market.
- Commonly known as Freddie Mac, it buys mortgages and sells mortgage-backed securities.
- Helps stabilize mortgage rates and promotes homeownership affordability.
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), widely recognized as Freddie Mac, is a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) established to support stability and affordability in the U.S. housing market. Created in 1970, it operates under the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and plays a crucial role in ensuring that mortgage funds remain available to lenders, homebuyers, and investors.
Role and Functions
Freddie Mac's primary function is to purchase mortgages from lenders such as banks and credit unions. By doing so, it injects fresh capital into the lending market, allowing financial institutions to offer more loans to homebuyers. After acquiring these mortgages, Freddie Mac packages them into mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which are then sold to investors. This process helps create a continuous flow of capital, keeping mortgage rates stable and homeownership within reach for millions of Americans.
Impact on the Housing Market
The presence of Freddie Mac in the mortgage market has several benefits:
- Liquidity for Lenders – By buying mortgages, Freddie Mac enables lenders to issue new loans.
- Lower Borrowing Costs – The securitization of loans contributes to competitive mortgage rates.
- Economic Stability – It helps reduce fluctuations in the housing market during financial crises.
Regulation and Oversight
Freddie Mac is regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), ensuring it operates within guidelines that support the housing market while minimizing risks. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the company was placed under government conservatorship, strengthening regulatory oversight to prevent another housing market collapse.
Conclusion
Freddie Mac remains a pillar of the U.S. housing finance system, ensuring a steady flow of mortgage funds, stabilizing interest rates, and promoting affordable homeownership. Through its role in mortgage securitization and liquidity provision, it continues to be a key driver of economic stability and growth in the housing sector.