Thursday, October 8, 2009

FHA Shortfall Seen at $54 Billion May Lead to Bailout

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aOmu318hOZr4


The Federal Housing Administration, which insures mortgages with low down payments, may require a U.S. bailout because of $54 billion more in losses than it can withstand, a former Fannie Mae executive said.

“It appears destined for a taxpayer bailout in the next 24 to 36 months,” consultant Edward Pinto said in testimony prepared for a House committee hearing in Washington today. Pinto was the chief credit officer from 1987 to 1989 for Fannie Mae, the mortgage-finance company that is now government-run.