When it comes to home buying, there are a lot of acronyms and terms that can leave a person feeling lost. Three of the most commonly used terms are Freddie Mac, Ginny Mae, and Fannie Mae. While they may sound similar, each one serves a distinct purpose in the mortgage industry. In this post, we’ll examine the differences between Freddie Mac, Ginny Mae, and Fannie Mae.
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac, short for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, is a government-sponsored enterprise that operates in the secondary mortgage market. Essentially, Freddie Mac purchases mortgages from lenders, freeing up cash for the lenders to issue more loans. Freddie Mac then bundles these mortgages together and sells them to investors as mortgage-backed securities. This process helps to increase the availability of mortgage funding and keep interest rates low for borrowers.
Ginny Mae
Ginny Mae, or the Government National Mortgage Association, is another government-sponsored enterprise that operates in the secondary mortgage market. However, Ginny Mae has a slightly different focus than Freddie Mac. While Freddie Mac purchases a variety of mortgage types, Ginny Mae specializes in government-backed mortgages like FHA and VA loans. Similar to Freddie Mac, Ginny Mae purchases these mortgages from lenders, bundles them together, and sells them to investors.
Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae, short for Federal National Mortgage Association, is the third government-sponsored enterprise that operates in the secondary mortgage market. Like Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae purchases mortgages from lenders and bundles them together to sell to investors. However, Fannie Mae differs in that it focuses primarily on conventional mortgages or those that are not backed by the government. Fannie Mae also has a larger impact on the mortgage market than either Freddie Mac or Ginny Mae, as it purchases and securitizes a larger volume of mortgages.
Understanding the differences between Freddie Mac, Ginny Mae, and Fannie Mae is important for anyone from lenders to borrowers. While they all serve a similar purpose in the secondary mortgage market, each one has a unique focus and impact. By knowing the distinctions between these entities, you’ll have a better understanding of how the mortgage market operates and how it can affect your finances.
If you have questions about these 3 entities, LendScout is happy to help!
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