Government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FMCC) — also known as Freddie Mac — is having a stellar year on Wall Street this year. President Donald Trump announced that he is giving “very serious consideration” to privatizing the GSE, alongside the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), commonly known as Fannie Mae.
The U.S. Treasury owns preferred shares and warrants for the majority of the GSEs’ common stock after a bailout during the 2008 financial crisis. However, despite the optimism, any move to offload stakes may face resistance from Congress, as privatization could lead to higher mortgage rates or destabilize the housing market.
