Fannie Mae (FNMA)

[Robert from yahoo bd]

From the WSJ: "FANNIE MAE AND Freddie Mac will continue to charge a fee on homeowners who refinance their mortgages through at least Dec. 1, according to officials at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees the government-controlled mortgage companies.

Fannie and Freddie began charging the fee late last year to help recoup the costs of their response to the pandemic, including billions of dollars they set aside against possible loan losses. The 0.5% surcharge on refinanced home loans adds an estimated $1,400 to the average mortgage guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie.

FHFA officials said they should have clearer data by early October on whether the fee, which is designed to raise approximately $5 billion, will achieve its goals and can be phased out in December."