Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Spanked For New Accounting Problems
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Is this any surprise, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are now being told to moderate their aggressive accounting methods and be more prudent on the numbers they are reporting. The issue is a bit esoteric but coming after the accounting scandals that enveloped the agencies in the past year, any hint of impropriety should be taken seriously.
With the housing and credit markets in trouble, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s role is to be the rock in the sea of turbulence. If they are committing shenanigans and/or fraud they could further undermine the housing markets and create even more turmoil. No one is expecting the companies to post stellar profits, but they expect them to be the ethical foundation of the housing industry.
The regulator for Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE), the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, told the government-chartered buyers of mortgage debt Monday that they must be judicious in using fair-value accounting rules or they will be barred from them.
At issue is accounting standard No. 159, known as the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard allows a firm to shift its accounting of an asset from “book value” to “fair market value.” The practice can, in certain situations, produce gains when the value of a security declines.
“It is important that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac apply fair value in a sound and consistent manner,” said OFHEO Director James B. Lockhart. “Although Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are using fair value for only a portion of their assets and liabilities, the use of fair value should help dampen fluctuations in earnings caused by their large derivative portfolios.” via Atlanta Business Chronicle:.
My Representative is one of the infamous eight Republicans who voted to support this disgraceful legislation, Frank LoBiondo in South ...
When selling our homes, what takes place should be between the seller and the buyer. Not the government. ...
Yea I guess I would be mad or should I say disappointed if I missed the cut off date for ...
If you haven't read this bill I could easily see how one could support it. I mean the bill ...
Pain is gain. I really support this, and the change may be hard but it has to be done. ...
I can't tell you how many people I've talked to in the past week who are completely unaware that the ...
The liberal government policies have facilitated the expansion of the foreign involvement in the Real Estate Investment sector. 
We all know EPA has the most murders per 100k ever. 175 murders per 100k. 
I am confused...I closed on my house 1 April 2008, I did not get $7500 pay back or $8000 no ...
I am a person that has been qualified for a loan and really would love to see this enacted. ...
Pingback by Deal Journal - WSJ.com : Fannie and Freddie: Another Bailout That Leaves Out Shareholders on 14 July 2008:
[...] accounting scandals; management did. The two lenders have been investigated for appraisal fraud, accounting problems and inappropriate compensation for their [...]