The Home Front

Freddie Mac May Need $50 Billion From Feds Next Year

By Luke Mullins

Posted: November 17, 2008

Government-controlled mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac hit up Hank Paulson for $14 billion last week after posting a huge quarterly loss. In a research report issued Monday, FBR Capital Markets analyst Paul Miller says that Treasury can expect additional requests next year:

With continued elevated credit cost and write-downs in mortgage assets, we estimate that earnings losses could reach $20B to $40B in FY09. As a result, the magnitude of necessary capital injections by the Treasury could reach $30B to $50B in FY09 and postpone any thought of spinning [Freddie Mac] back out to the public until FY10.

Freddie Mac

But who created Freddie Mac? The United States government. Who hires and fires the CEO of Freddie Mac and thereby controls its financial policies? The United States government. So who should we blame for whatever harm Freddie Mac causes? The United States government. That is why just criticizing folks like former Freddie Mac CEO Franklin Raines is essentially an exercise in childishness. Maybe that's why the government gave him such a huge salary while he was there --- so they would have a handy scapegoat to blame if things went wrong. And maybe, just maybe, that is why angry taxpayers made the electoral decisions that they did last November 4th. "Lesson learned" in Washington? We shall have to wait a while and see.

But in the meantime, taxpayers, pay up! After all, taxpayers are among the ones who elect the government in the first place.

D.S. Arthur of CA @ Nov 24, 2008 12:07:06 PM

Bailout of our Freddies

More money down the drain. The politicians have opened a Pandora's box and now can't close it.

Syl of IL @ Nov 17, 2008 17:26:12 PM

It just to Much Monetary funding For One Govt. Department

It Must be revamped All the Fat cat s getting rich over money is paid by taxpayers FDR if he were alive today Markets Don't need this system of keep going broke a beggging for money That msy not exists I say redo this System Get Federal Govt. Auditors in going over their books hell When income tax person comes in audit your tax papers They go over everything like fine tooth comb Let this one do thesame they cannot keep afloat using our Taxpayer money Even cities are cutting down and laying off people.

John Ensslen of NJ @ Nov 17, 2008 16:08:56 PM

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The Home Front

The Home Front

Associate Editor Luke Mullins tracks the treacherous housing market and explains how to unload a five-bedroom McMansion or even find that dream home.

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