Walt Schmidt on GSE Reform in the Mortgage Market

Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been significant actors in the housing market for nearly a century. Ever since market distress pushed Fannie and Freddie into conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Authority in 2008, policymakers have sought to transition the firms back into more privatized roles. Reform discussions have accelerated after the November elections, but any massive changes would have to be judicious and likely require bipartisan support. In this episode, we interview Walt Schmidt, Manager of Mortgage Strategies with FHN Financial, about the history of GSEs in the housing market, potential reforms in the coming years, and what these changes would mean for the MBS market.