It was not and is not a private company equivalent to other private companies say Walmart or AIG..
See opening Creation of the Association.
Then read section Sec. 308. (a) for management and powers.
What wholly independent private company has board members appointed by the President of the US by law?
What wholly independent private company, including its franchise, capital, reserves, surplus, mortgages or other security holdings, and income, is exempt from all taxation imposed by any State, territory, possession, Commonwealth, or dependency of the United States, or by the District of Columbia, or by any county, municipality, or local taxing authority, except that any real property of the corporation shall be subject to State, territorial, county, municipal, or local taxation to the same extent as other real property is taxed?