These entities are government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) vital to the U.S. housing finance system. They operate in the secondary mortgage market, purchasing mortgages from lenders, packaging them into mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and either guaranteeing or selling these securities to investors. This process frees up capital for lenders, allowing them to issue more mortgages to homebuyers. They don’t directly lend to consumers; instead, they facilitate mortgage availability and affordability.
Their importance lies in ensuring a continuous flow of funds into the mortgage market. By providing liquidity and reducing risk for lenders, they help to stabilize interest rates and make homeownership more accessible. Created at different points in time starting with the earliest one established in 1938 each with a slightly differing mandate, these enterprises collectively play a significant role in shaping housing policy and influencing the overall economy. Their activities have a direct impact on the ability of Americans to buy, sell, and refinance homes.