Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). To conform to our current period presentation, we have reclassified certain amounts reported in our prior periods’ consolidated financial statements.

Segment Reporting Policy

We have two reportable business segments: Single-Family and Multifamily. The Single-Family business operates in the secondary mortgage market relating to loans secured by properties containing four or fewer residential dwelling units. The Multifamily business operates in the secondary mortgage market relating primarily to loans secured by properties containing five or more residential units. We describe the management reporting and allocation process used to generate our segment results in “Note 10, Segment Reporting.”

We have two reportable business segments: Single-Family and Multifamily. The chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance based on these two business segments. Results of our two business segments are intended to reflect each segment as if it were a stand-alone business. The sum of the results for our two business segments equals our consolidated results of operations.

Single-Family Guaranty Fees 10 Basis Points Increase due to the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 Provision Policy

Effective April 1, 2012, we increased the guaranty fee on all single-family residential mortgages delivered to us by 10 basis points. FHFA and Treasury advised us to remit this fee increase to Treasury with respect to all loans acquired by us on or after April 1, 2012 and before January 1, 2022, and to continue to remit these amounts to Treasury on and after January 1, 2022 with respect to loans we acquired before this date until those loans are paid off or otherwise liquidated. The resulting fee revenue and expense are recorded in “Mortgage loans interest income” and “TCCA fees,” respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Use of Estimates Policy

Use of Estimates

Preparing consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of our consolidated financial statements, as well as our reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management has made significant estimates in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, our allowance for loan losses. Actual results could be different from these estimates.

Principles of Consolidation Policy

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts as well as the accounts of the other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The typical condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. A controlling financial interest may also exist in an entity such as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) through arrangements that do not involve voting interests

Consolidated VIEs

If an entity is a VIE, we consider whether our variable interest in that entity causes us to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of the VIE is required to consolidate and account for the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. An enterprise is deemed to be the primary beneficiary when the enterprise has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and exposure to benefits and/or losses could potentially be significant to the entity. In general, the investors in the obligations of consolidated VIEs have recourse only to the assets of those VIEs and do not have recourse to us, except where we provide a guaranty to the VIE.

We continually assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIEs with which we are involved and therefore may consolidate or deconsolidate a VIE through the duration of our involvement.

Unconsolidated VIEs

We do not consolidate VIEs when we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity Policy

VIE Assessment

We have interests in various entities that are considered VIEs. A VIE is an entity (1) that has total equity at risk that is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other entities, (2) where the group of

equity holders does not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, or the obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses or the right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, or (3) where the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

We determine if an entity is a VIE by performing a qualitative analysis, which requires certain subjective decisions including, but not limited to, the design of the entity, the variability that the entity was designed to create and pass along to its interest holders, the rights of the parties and the purpose of the arrangement.

The primary types of VIE entities with which we are involved are securitization trusts guaranteed by us via lender swap and portfolio securitization transactions, special-purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) associated with certain credit risk transfer programs, limited partnership investments in low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”) and other housing partnerships, as well as mortgage and asset-backed trusts that were not created by us. For more information on the primary types of VIE entities with which we are involved, see “Note 2, Consolidations and Transfers of Financial Assets.”

Primary Beneficiary Determination

If an entity is a VIE, we consider whether our variable interest in that entity causes us to be the primary beneficiary. We are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have both (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) exposure to benefits and/or losses that could potentially be significant to the entity. The primary beneficiary of the VIE is required to consolidate and account for the assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests of the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. The assessment of which party has the power to direct the activities of the VIE may require significant management judgment when (1) more than one party has power or (2) more than one party is involved in the design of the VIE but no party has the power to direct the ongoing activities that could be significant.

We continually assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIEs with which we are involved and therefore may consolidate or deconsolidate a VIE through the duration of our involvement. Examples of certain events that may change whether or not we consolidate the VIE include a change in the design of the entity or a change in our ownership in the entity.

Measurement of Consolidated Assets and Liabilities

When we are the transferor of assets into a VIE that we consolidate at the time of the transfer, we continue to recognize the assets and liabilities of the VIE at the amounts that they would have been recognized if we had not transferred them, and no gain or loss is recognized. For all other VIEs that we consolidate (that is, those for which we are not the transferor), we recognize the assets and liabilities of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements at fair value, and we recognize a gain or loss for the difference between (1) the fair value of the consideration paid, fair value of noncontrolling interests and the reported amount of any previously held interests, and (2) the net amount of the fair value of the assets and liabilities recognized upon consolidation. However, for the securitization trusts established under our lender swap program, no gain or loss is recognized if the trust is consolidated at formation as there is no difference in the respective fair value of (1) and (2) above. We record gains or losses that are associated with the consolidation of VIEs as a component of “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

If we cease to be deemed the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we deconsolidate the VIE. We use fair value to measure the initial cost basis for any retained interests that are recorded upon the deconsolidation of a VIE. Any difference between the fair value and the previous carrying amount of our investment in the VIE is recorded in “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Purchase/Sale of Fannie Mae Securities

We actively purchase and may subsequently sell guaranteed MBS that have been issued through lender swap and portfolio securitization transactions. The accounting for the purchase and sale of our guaranteed MBS issued by the trusts differs based on the characteristics of the securitization trusts and whether the trusts are consolidated.

Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets Policy

Transfers of Financial Assets

We evaluate each transfer of financial assets to determine whether the transfer qualifies as a sale. If a transfer does not meet the criteria for sale treatment, the transferred assets remain in our consolidated balance sheets and we record a liability to the extent of any proceeds received in connection with the transfer. We record transfers of financial assets in which we surrender control of the transferred assets as sales.

When a transfer that qualifies as a sale is completed, we derecognize all assets transferred and recognize all assets obtained and liabilities incurred at fair value. The difference between the carrying basis of the assets transferred and the fair value of the net proceeds from the sale is recorded as a component of “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Retained interests are primarily derived from transfers associated with our portfolio securitizations in the form of Fannie Mae securities. We separately describe the subsequent accounting, as well as how we determine fair value, for our retained interests in the “Investments in Securities” section of this note.

We enter into repurchase agreements that involve contemporaneous trades to purchase and sell securities. These transactions are accounted for as secured financings since the transferor has not relinquished control over the transferred assets. These transactions are reported as securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in our consolidated balance sheets except for securities purchased under agreements to resell on an overnight basis, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheets.

The substantial majority of these portfolio securitization transactions generally do not qualify for sale treatment. Portfolio securitization trusts that do qualify for sale treatment primarily consist of loans that are guaranteed or insured, in whole or in part, by the U.S. government.We retain interests from the transfer and sale of mortgage-related securities to unconsolidated single-class and multi-class portfolio securitization trusts.We issue Fannie Mae MBS through portfolio securitization transactions by transferring pools of mortgage loans or mortgage-related securities to one or more trusts or special purpose entities. We are considered to be the transferor when we transfer assets from our own retained mortgage portfolio in a portfolio securitization transaction.

Cash and Cash Equivalents Policy

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Statements of Cash Flows

Short-term investments that have a maturity at the date of acquisition of three months or less and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash are generally considered cash equivalents. We also include securities purchased under agreements to resell on an overnight basis in “cash and cash equivalents” in our consolidated balance sheets. We may pledge as collateral certain short-term investments classified as cash equivalents.

“Restricted cash” in our consolidated balance sheets represents cash advanced to the extent such amounts are due to, but have not yet been remitted to, MBS certificateholders. Similarly, when we or our servicers collect and hold cash that is due to certain Fannie Mae MBS trusts in advance of our requirement to remit these amounts to the trusts, we recognize the collected cash amounts as restricted cash. In addition, we recognize restricted cash when we and our servicers advance payments on delinquent loans to consolidated Fannie Mae MBS trusts. Cash may also be recognized as restricted cash as a result of restrictions related to certain consolidated partnership funds as well as for certain collateral arrangements for which we do not have the right to use the cash.

In the presentation of our consolidated statements of cash flows, we present cash flows from derivatives that do not contain financing elements and mortgage loans held for sale at acquisition as operating activities. We present cash flows from federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell or similar arrangements as investing activities and cash flows from federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as financing activities in “Other, net.” We classify cash flows from trading securities based on their nature and purpose.

We classify cash flows related to mortgage loans acquired as held-for-investment, including loans of Fannie Mae and loans of consolidated trusts, as either investing activities (for principal repayments or sales proceeds) or operating activities (for interest received from borrowers included as a component of our net income). Cash flows related to debt securities issued by consolidated trusts are classified as either financing activities (for repayments of principal to certificateholders) or operating activities (for interest payments to certificateholders included as a component of our net income). We distinguish between the payments and proceeds related to the debt of Fannie Mae and the debt of consolidated trusts, as applicable. We present our non-cash activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows at the associated unpaid principal balance.

Available-for-sale Securities Policy

Investments in Securities

Securities Classified as Trading or Available-for-Sale

We classify and account for our securities as either trading or available-for-sale (“AFS”). We measure trading securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets with unrealized and realized gains and losses included as a component of “Fair value gains (losses), net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. We include interest and dividends on securities in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Interest income includes the amortization of cost basis adjustments, including premiums and discounts, recognized as a yield adjustment using the interest method over the contractual term of the security. We measure AFS securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. We recognize realized gains and losses on AFS securities when securities are sold. We calculate the gains and losses using the specific identification method and record them in “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Fannie Mae MBS included in “Investments in securities”

When we own Fannie Mae MBS issued by unconsolidated trusts, we do not derecognize any components of the guaranty assets, guaranty obligations, or any other outstanding recorded amounts associated with the guaranty transaction because our contractual obligation to the MBS trust remains in force until the trust is liquidated. We determine the fair value of Fannie Mae MBS based on observable market prices because most Fannie Mae MBS are actively traded. For any subsequent purchase or sale, we continue to account for any outstanding recorded amounts associated with the guaranty transaction on the same basis of accounting.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Debt Securities

We evaluate AFS securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on a quarterly basis. OTTI is considered to have occurred when the fair value of a debt security is below its amortized cost basis and we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery. In such cases, we recognize in “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income the entire difference between the amortized cost basis of a security and its fair value. OTTI is also considered to have occurred if we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a debt security even if we do not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery. In these circumstances, we separate the difference between the amortized cost basis of the security and its fair value into the amount representing the credit loss, which we recognize in “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and the amount related to all other factors, which we recognize in “Total other comprehensive loss,” net of taxes, in our consolidated statements of operations and

comprehensive income. In periods after we recognize OTTI of debt securities, we use the prospective interest method to recognize interest income.

Trading securities are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded as “Fair value gains (losses), net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Available-for-Sale Securities

We record AFS securities at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, recorded net of tax, as a component of “Other comprehensive loss” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. We recognize realized gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities in “Investment gains, net.”

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

For AFS securities, OTTI is considered to have occurred when the fair value of a debt security is below its amortized cost basis and we intend to sell or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery. Additionally, OTTI is considered to have occurred if we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a debt security even if we do not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery.

Financing Receivable, Held-for-sale Policy

Loans Held for Sale

When we acquire mortgage loans that we intend to sell or securitize via trusts that will not be consolidated, we classify the loans as held for sale (“HFS”). We report the carrying value of HFS loans at the lower of cost or fair value. Any excess of an HFS loan’s cost over its fair value is recognized as a valuation allowance, with changes in the valuation allowance recognized as “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. We recognize interest income on HFS loans on an accrual basis, unless we determine that the ultimate collection of contractual principal or interest payments in full is not reasonably assured. Purchase premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments on HFS loans are deferred upon loan acquisition, included in the cost basis of the loan, and not amortized. We determine any lower of cost or fair value adjustment on HFS loans at an individual loan level.

In the event that we reclassify held for investment (“HFI”) loans to HFS loans, based upon a change in our intent, we record the loans at lower of cost or fair value on the date of redesignation. If the amounts charged off upon redesignation exceed the allowance related to the loans, we record a provision for credit losses. If the amounts charged off are less than the allowance related to the loans, we recognize a benefit for credit losses.

We report the carrying value of HFS loans at the lower of cost or fair value and record valuation changes in “Investment gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Financing Receivable, Held-for-investment Policy

Loans Held for Investment

When we acquire mortgage loans that we have the ability and the intent to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity, we classify the loans as HFI. When we consolidate a securitization trust, we recognize the loans underlying the trust in our consolidated balance sheets. The trusts do not have the ability to sell mortgage loans and the use of such loans is limited exclusively to the settlement of obligations of the trusts. Therefore, mortgage loans acquired with the intent to securitize via consolidated trusts will be classified as HFI in our consolidated balance sheets both prior to and subsequent to their securitization.

We report the carrying value of HFI loans at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premiums and discounts, other cost basis adjustments, and allowance for loan losses. We recognize interest income on HFI loans on an accrual basis using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan, including the amortization of any deferred cost basis adjustments, such as the premium or discount at acquisition, unless we determine that the ultimate collection of contractual principal or interest payments in full is not reasonably assured.We define the recorded investment of HFI loans as unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premiums and discounts, other cost basis adjustments, and accrued interest receivable.We report the carrying value of HFI loans at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premiums and discounts, other cost basis adjustments, and an allowance for loan losses.

Nonaccrual Loans Policy

Nonaccrual Loans

We discontinue accruing interest on loans when we believe collectability of principal or interest is not reasonably assured, which for a single-family loan we have determined, based on our historical experience, to be when the loan becomes two months or more past due according to its contractual terms. Interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed through interest income at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. For loans on nonaccrual status, we recognize income when cash payments are received. We return a non-modified single-family loan to accrual status at the point that the borrower brings the loan current. We return a modified single-family loan to accrual status at the point that the borrower successfully makes all required payments during the trial period (generally three to four months) and the modification is made permanent. We place a multifamily loan on nonaccrual status when the loan becomes three months or more past due according to its contractual terms or is deemed to be individually impaired, unless the loan is well secured such that collectability of principal and accrued interest is reasonably assured. We return a multifamily loan to accrual status when the borrower cures the delinquency of the loan or we otherwise determine that the loan is well secured such that collectability is reasonably assured.

Troubled Debt Restructurings Policy

Restructured Loans

A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). Our loss mitigation programs primarily include modifications that result in the capitalization of past due amounts in combination with interest rate reductions and/or the extension of the loan’s maturity date. Such restructurings are granted to borrowers in financial difficulty on either a permanent or contingent basis, as in the case of modifications with a trial period. We consider these types of loan restructurings to be TDRs.

We generally do not include principal or past due interest forgiveness as part of our loss mitigation programs, and, as a result, we generally do not charge off any outstanding principal or accrued interest amounts at the time of loan modification. We believe that the loan underwriting activities we perform as a part of our loan modification process coupled with the borrower’s successful performance during any required trial period provides us reasonable assurance regarding the collectability of the principal and interest due in accordance with the loan’s modified terms, which include any past due interest amounts that are capitalized as principal at the time of modification. As such, the loan is returned to accrual status when the loan modification is completed (i.e., at the end of the trial period), and we accrue interest thereafter in accordance with our interest accrual policy. If the loan was on nonaccrual status prior to entering the trial period, it remains on nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates performance via the trial period and the modification is finalized.

We also engage in other loss mitigation activities with troubled borrowers, which include repayment plans, forbearance arrangements, and modifications that are limited to the capitalization only of past due amounts. For all of these activities, we consider the deferral or capitalization of three or fewer missed payments to represent only an insignificant delay, and thus not a TDR. If we defer or capitalize more than three missed payments either through a legal or informal modification, the delay is no longer considered insignificant, and the restructuring is accounted for as a TDR.

We measure impairment of a loan restructured in a TDR individually based on the excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the present value of the expected future cash inflows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Costs incurred to complete a TDR are expensed as incurred. However, when foreclosure is probable on an individually impaired loan, we measure impairment based on the difference between our recorded investment in the loan and the fair value of the underlying property, adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the property and estimated insurance or other proceeds we expect to receive.

A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties is considered a TDR. In addition to formal loan modifications, including loan modifications in a trial period, we also engage in other loss mitigation activities with troubled borrowers, which include repayment plans and forbearance arrangements, both of which represent informal agreements with the borrower that do not result in the legal modification of the loan’s contractual terms. We account for these informal restructurings as a TDR if we defer more than three missed payments. We also classify loans to certain borrowers who have received bankruptcy relief as TDRs.

Allowance for Loan Losses Policy

Allowance for Loan Losses

Our allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance that reflects an estimate of incurred credit losses related to our recorded investment in both single-family and multifamily HFI loans. This population includes both HFI loans held by Fannie Mae and by consolidated Fannie Mae MBS trusts. When calculating our allowance for loan losses, we consider only our net recorded investment in the loan at the balance sheet date, which includes the loan’s unpaid principal balance and any applicable cost basis adjustments. When losses on a loan are confirmed, typically through our receipt of property upon foreclosure of the loan or of cash proceeds upon completion of a short sale, we reduce our allowance for loan losses by recording a charge-off. Additionally, we record charge-offs as a reduction to our allowance for loan losses when a loan is determined to be uncollectible, upon the redesignation of loans from HFI to HFS and pursuant to the charge-off provisions of FHFA’s Advisory Bulletin 2012-02, “Framework for Adversely Classifying Loans, Other Real Estate Owned, and Other Assets and Listing Assets for Special Mention” (the “Advisory Bulletin”). The excess of a loan’s unpaid principal balance, accrued interest, and any applicable cost basis adjustments (“our total exposure”) over the fair value of the assets is treated as a charge-off loss that is deducted from the allowance for loan losses. The amount charged off also considers estimated proceeds from primary mortgage insurance or other credit enhancements that are either contractually attached to a loan or that were entered into contemporaneously with and in contemplation of a guaranty or loan purchase transaction as a recovery of our total exposure, up to the amount of loss recognized as a charge-off. We record additional proceeds from primary mortgage insurance and credit enhancements in excess of our total exposure as a recovery of any forgone contractually past due interest, and then as an offset to the expenses recorded in “Foreclosed property expense” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income when received.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses for HFI loans held by Fannie Mae and by consolidated Fannie Mae MBS trusts, excluding loans for which we have elected the fair value option. When calculating our allowance for loan losses, we consider the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premiums and discounts, and other cost basis adjustments of HFI loans at the balance sheet date.

Impaired Financing Receivable Policy

Single-Family Loans

We recognize credit losses related to groups of similar single-family HFI loans that are not individually impaired when (1) available information as of each balance sheet date indicates that it is probable a loss has occurred and (2) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We aggregate such loans, based on similar risk characteristics, for purposes of estimating incurred credit losses and establish a collective single-family loss reserve using an econometric model that derives an overall loss reserve estimate. The estimate takes into account multiple factors which include but are not limited to origination year, loan product type, mark-to-market loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio, and delinquency status. Once loans are aggregated, there typically is not a single, distinct event that would result in an individual loan or pool of loans being impaired. In determining our collective reserve, we base our allowance methodology on historical events and trends, such as loss severity (in event of default), default rates, and recoveries from mortgage insurance contracts and other credit enhancements that provide loan-level loss coverage and are either contractually attached to a loan or that were entered into contemporaneously with and in contemplation of a guaranty or loan purchase transaction. We use recent regional historical sales and appraisal information, including the sales of our own foreclosed properties, to develop our loss severity estimates for all loan categories. Our allowance calculation also incorporates a loss confirmation period (the anticipated time lag between a credit loss event and the confirmation of the credit loss resulting from that event) to ensure our allowance estimate captures credit losses that have been incurred as of the balance sheet date but have not been confirmed. In addition, management performs a review of the observable data used in its estimate to ensure it is representative of prevailing economic conditions and other events existing as of the balance sheet date.

Individually Impaired Single-Family Loans

Individually impaired single-family loans currently consist of those we restructure in a TDR. We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information, it is probable that we will not receive all amounts due, including interest, in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When making our assessment as to whether a loan is impaired, we also take into account more than insignificant delays in payment and shortfalls in amounts received. Determination of whether a delay in payment or shortfall in amount is more than insignificant requires management’s judgment as to the facts and circumstances surrounding the loan.

Our measurement of impairment on an individually impaired loan follows the method that is most consistent with our expectations of recovery of our recorded investment in the loan. When a loan has been restructured, we measure impairment

using a cash flow analysis discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. If we expect to recover some or all of our recorded investment in an individually impaired loan through probable foreclosure of the underlying collateral, we measure impairment based on the difference between our recorded investment in the loan and the fair value of the underlying property, adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the property and estimated insurance or other proceeds we expect to receive. For individually impaired loans that we believe are probable of foreclosure, we take into consideration the sales prices of foreclosed properties in determining the value of the underlying real estate collateral.

We use internal models to project cash flows used to assess impairment of individually impaired loans, and generally update the market and loan characteristic inputs we use in these models monthly, using month-end data. Market inputs include information such as interest rates, volatility and spreads, while loan characteristic inputs include information such as mark-to-market LTV ratios and delinquency status. The loan characteristic inputs are key factors that affect the predicted rate of default for loans evaluated for impairment through our internal cash flow models. For example, loans with an unsuccessful trial modification, which are often accompanied by high delinquency rates, have much higher predicted default rates compared to performing loans with completed modifications, particularly those with a significant payment reduction in the borrower’s required monthly payment. We evaluate the reasonableness of our models by comparing the results with actual performance and our assessment of current market conditions. In addition, we review our models at least annually for reasonableness and predictive ability in accordance with our corporate model review policy. Accordingly, we believe the projected cash flows generated by our models that we use to assess impairment appropriately reflect the expected future performance of the loans.

Multifamily Loans

We identify multifamily loans for evaluation for impairment through a credit risk assessment process. If we determine that a multifamily loan is individually impaired, we generally measure impairment on that loan based on the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated costs to sell the property. For groups of smaller-balance homogeneous multifamily loans, we evaluate collectively for impairment. We establish a collective multifamily loss reserve for all loans in our multifamily guaranty book of business that are not individually impaired, using an internal model that applies loss factors to loans in similar risk categories.

We categorize loan credit risk based on relevant observable data about a borrower’s ability to pay, including multifamily market fundamentals such as vacancy rates and rents, review of available current borrower financial information, operating statements on the underlying collateral, current debt service coverage ratios (“DSCRs”), historical payment experience, estimates of the current collateral values and other related credit documentation. For each risk category, certain observed default probability and loss severity (in event of default) factors, based on historical performance of loans in the same risk category, are applied against our recorded investment in the loans to determine an appropriate allowance. Such performance data reflect historical delinquencies and charge-offs, as well as loan size. In addition, we consider any credit enhancements such as letters of credit or loss sharing arrangements with our lenders.

Advances to Lenders Policy

Advances to Lenders

Advances to lenders represent our payments of cash in exchange for the receipt of mortgage loans from lenders in a transfer that is accounted for as a secured lending arrangement. These transfers primarily occur when we provide early funding to lenders for loans that they will subsequently either sell to us or securitize into a Fannie Mae MBS that they will deliver to us. We individually negotiate early lender funding advances with our lender customers. Early lender funding advances have terms up to 60 days and earn a short-term market rate of interest.

We report cash outflows from advances to lenders as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Settlements of the advances to lenders, other than through lender repurchases of loans, are not collected in cash, but rather in the receipt of either loans or Fannie Mae MBS. Accordingly, this activity is reflected as a non-cash transfer in our consolidated statements of cash flows in the line item entitled “Transfers from advances to lenders to loans held for investment of consolidated trusts.”

Financing Receivable, Held-for-investment, Foreclosed Asset Policy

Acquired Property, Net

We recognize foreclosed property (i.e., “Acquired property, net”) upon the earlier of the loan foreclosure event or when we take physical possession of the property (i.e., through a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transaction). We initially measure foreclosed property at its fair value less its estimated costs to sell. We treat any excess of our recorded investment in the loan over the fair value less estimated costs to sell the property as a charge-off to the “Allowance for loan losses” in our consolidated balance sheets. Any excess of the fair value less estimated costs to sell the property over our recorded investment in the loan is recognized first to recover any previously charged-off amounts, then to recover any forgone, contractually due interest, and lastly to “Foreclosed property expense” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We classify foreclosed properties as HFS when we intend to sell the property and the following conditions are met at either acquisition or within a relatively short period thereafter: we are actively marketing the property and it is available for immediate sale in its current condition such that the sale is reasonably expected to take place within one year. We report these properties at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. We do not depreciate these properties.

We recognize a loss for any subsequent write-down of the property to its fair value less its estimated costs to sell through a valuation allowance with an offsetting charge to “Foreclosed property expense” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. We recognize a recovery for any subsequent increase in fair value less estimated costs to sell up to the cumulative loss previously recognized through the valuation allowance. We recognize gains or losses on sales of foreclosed property through “Foreclosed property expense” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Properties that do not meet the criteria to be classified as HFS are classified as held for use and are recorded in “Other assets” in our consolidated balance sheets. These properties are depreciated and are evaluated for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the property is no longer recoverable.

Commitments to Purchase and Sell Mortgage Loans and Securities Policy

Commitments to Purchase and Sell Mortgage Loans and Securities

We enter into commitments to purchase and sell mortgage-backed securities and to purchase single-family and multifamily mortgage loans. Certain commitments to purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities and to purchase single-family mortgage loans are generally accounted for as derivatives. Our commitments to purchase multifamily loans are not accounted for as derivatives because they do not meet the criteria for net settlement.

When derivative purchase commitments settle, we include the fair value on the settlement date in the cost basis of the loan or unconsolidated security we purchase. When derivative commitments to sell securities settle, we include the fair value of the commitment on the settlement date in the cost basis of the security we sell. Purchases and sales of securities issued by our consolidated MBS trusts are treated as extinguishments or issuances of debt, respectively. For commitments to purchase and sell securities issued by our consolidated MBS trusts, we recognize the fair value of the commitment on the settlement date as a component of debt extinguishment gains and losses or in the cost basis of the debt issued, respectively.

Regular-way securities trades provide for delivery of securities within the time generally established by regulations or conventions in the market in which the trade occurs and are exempt from application of derivative accounting. Commitments to purchase or sell securities that we account for on a trade-date basis are also exempt from the derivative accounting requirements. We record the purchase and sale of an existing security on its trade date when the commitment to purchase or sell the existing security settles within the period of time that is customary in the market in which those trades take place.

Additionally, contracts for the forward purchase or sale of when-issued and to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities are exempt from the derivative accounting requirements if there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, delivery of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security, and it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that physical delivery of the security will occur. Since our commitments for the purchase of when-issued and TBA securities can be net settled and we do not document that physical settlement is probable, we account for all such commitments as derivatives.

Derivatives Policy

Derivative Instruments

We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at their fair value on a trade date basis.

We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at their fair value on a trade-date basis. Fair value amounts, which are (1) netted to the extent a legal right of offset exists and is enforceable by law at the counterparty level and (2) inclusive of the right or obligation associated with the cash collateral posted or received, are recorded in “Other assets” or “Other liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 15, Fair Value” for additional information on derivatives recorded at fair value. We present cash flows from derivatives as operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

We record all derivative gains and losses, including accrued interest, in “Fair value gains (losses), net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and securities purchased under agreements to resell or similar arrangements are recorded at amortized cost in our consolidated balance sheets.

Derivatives, Offsetting Fair Value Amounts Policy

We offset the carrying amounts of certain derivatives that are in gain positions and loss positions as well as cash collateral receivables and payables associated with derivative positions pursuant to the terms of enforceable master netting arrangements. We offset these amounts only when we have the legal right to offset under the contract and we have met all of the offsetting conditions. For our over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative positions, our master netting arrangements allow us to net derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty. For our cleared derivative contracts, our master netting arrangements allow us to net our exposure by clearing organization and by clearing member.

After offsetting, we report derivatives in a gain position in “Other assets” and derivatives in a loss position in “Other liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets.We determine our rights to offset the assets and liabilities presented above with the same counterparty, including collateral posted or received, based on the contractual arrangements entered into with our individual counterparties and various rules and regulations that would govern the insolvency of a derivative counterparty.

Derivatives, Embedded Derivatives Policy

We evaluate financial instruments that we purchase or issue and other financial and non-financial contracts for embedded derivatives. To identify embedded derivatives that we must account for separately, we determine if: (1) the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the financial instrument or other contract (i.e., the host contract); (2) the financial instrument or other contract itself is not already measured at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings; and (3) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative. If the embedded derivative meets all three of these conditions, we elect to carry the hybrid contract in its entirety at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings.

Repurchase Agreements, Collateral Policy

Collateral

We enter into various transactions where we pledge and accept collateral, the most common of which are our derivative transactions. Required collateral levels vary depending on the credit rating and type of counterparty. We also pledge and receive collateral under our repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. In order to reduce potential exposure to repurchase counterparties, a third-party custodian typically maintains the collateral and any margin. We monitor the fair value

of the collateral received from our counterparties, and we may require additional collateral from those counterparties, as we deem appropriate.

Cash Collateral

We record cash collateral accepted from a counterparty that we have the right to use as “Cash and cash equivalents” and cash collateral accepted from a counterparty that we do not have the right to use as “Restricted cash” in our consolidated balance sheets. We net our obligation to return cash collateral pledged to us against the fair value of derivatives in a gain position recorded in “Other assets” in our consolidated balance sheets as part of our counterparty netting calculation.

For derivative positions with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements where we pledge cash collateral, we remove it from “Cash and cash equivalents” and net the right to receive it against the fair value of derivatives in a loss position recorded in “Other liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets as a part of our counterparty netting calculation.

Non-Cash Collateral

We classify securities pledged to counterparties as either “Investments in securities” or “Cash and cash equivalents” in our consolidated balance sheets. Securities pledged to counterparties that have been consolidated with the underlying assets recognized as loans are included as “Mortgage loans” in our consolidated balance sheets.

Our liability to third party holders of Fannie Mae MBS that arises as the result of a consolidation of a securitization trust is collateralized by the underlying loans and/or mortgage-related securities.

Debt Policy

Debt

Our consolidated balance sheets contain debt of Fannie Mae as well as debt of consolidated trusts. We report debt issued by us as “Debt of Fannie Mae” and by consolidated trusts as “Debt of consolidated trusts.” Debt issued by us represents debt that we issue to third parties to fund our general business activities and certain credit risk-sharing securities. The debt of consolidated trusts represents the amount of Fannie Mae MBS issued from such trusts that is held by third-party certificateholders and prepayable without penalty at any time. We report deferred items, including premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments, as adjustments to the related debt balances in our consolidated balance sheets.

When we purchase a Fannie Mae MBS issued from a consolidated single-class securitization trust, we extinguish the related debt of the consolidated trust as the MBS debt is no longer owed to a third-party. We record debt extinguishment gains or losses related to debt of consolidated trusts to the extent that the purchase price of the MBS does not equal the carrying value of the related consolidated MBS debt reported in our consolidated balance sheet (including unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments) at the time of purchase as a component of “Other expenses, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Interest Expense Policy

We classify interest expense as either short-term or long-term based on the contractual maturity of the related debt. We recognize the amortization of premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments through interest expense using the effective interest method usually over the contractual term of the debt. Amortization of premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments begins at the time of debt issuance.

Income Tax Policy

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences in the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that are applicable to the period(s) that the differences are expected to reverse. We adjust deferred tax assets and liabilities for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates in the period of enactment. We recognize investment and other tax credits through our effective tax rate calculation assuming that we will be able to realize the full benefit of the credits. In 2018, we resumed investing in new LIHTC projects and elected the proportional amortization method for the associated tax credits. We amortize the cost of a LIHTC investment each reporting period in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received. We recognize the resulting amortization as a component of the “provision for federal income taxes” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

We reduce our deferred tax assets by an allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a probability of greater than 50%) that we will not realize some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset.Our framework for assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets requires us to weigh all available evidence, to the extent it exists, including:

• the sustainability of recent profitability required to realize the deferred tax assets;

• the cumulative net income or losses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in recent years;

• unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect future operations and profit levels on a continuing basis in future years; and

•

the funding available to us under the senior preferred stock purchase agreement.

We evaluate our deferred tax assets for recoverability using a consistent approach which considers the relative impact of negative and positive evidence, including our historical profitability and projections of future taxable income.

Income Tax Uncertainties Policy

We account for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach whereby we recognize an income tax benefit if, based on the technical merits of a tax position, it is more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority, which includes all related appeals and litigation. We then measure the recognized tax benefit based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority, considering all information available at the reporting date. We recognize interest expense and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as “Other expenses, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Earnings Per Share Policy

The calculation of diluted EPS includes all the components of basic earnings per share, plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents such as convertible securities and stock options. Weighted-average shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued.

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is presented for basic and diluted EPS. We compute basic EPS by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. However, as a result of our conservatorship status and the terms of the senior preferred stock, no amounts would be available to distribute as dividends to common or preferred stockholders (other than to Treasury as the holder of the senior preferred stock). Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders excludes amounts attributable to the senior preferred stock, which increase the liquidation preference as described above in “Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Senior Preferred Stock and Warrant.”

New Accounting Pronouncements Policy

New Accounting Guidance

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments in June 2016, which was later amended by ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-11. These ASUs (the “CECL standard”) replace the existing incurred loss impairment methodology for loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment with a methodology that reflects lifetime expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable forecast information to develop a lifetime credit loss estimate. The CECL standard also requires credit losses related to AFS debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. Our adoption of this standard on January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on our portfolio of AFS debt securities.

The CECL standard became effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. We have changed our accounting policies and implemented system, model and process changes to adopt the standard. Upon adoption, we used a discounted cash flow method to measure expected credit losses on our single-family mortgage loans and an undiscounted loss method to measure expected credit losses on our multifamily mortgage loans. The models used to estimate credit losses incorporated our historical credit loss experience, adjusted for current economic forecasts and the current credit profile of our loan book of business. The models used reasonable and supportable forecasts for key economic drivers, such as home prices (single-family), rental income (multifamily) and capitalization rates (multifamily).

The adoption of the CECL standard on January 1, 2020 will reduce our retained earnings by $1.1 billion on an after-tax basis, which will be reflected in our financial statements for the quarter ending March 31, 2020. The adoption of this guidance increased our overall credit loss reserves primarily as the result of an increase in our single-family loan loss reserves that were previously evaluated on a collective basis for impairment. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in estimated credit losses on loans that were previously considered individually impaired (our troubled debt restructurings).

The increase in our single-family loan loss reserves that were previously evaluated on a collective basis was primarily driven by the migration from an incurred-loss approach, which allowed us to consider only default events and economic conditions that already existed as of each financial reporting date, to an estimate that incorporates both expected default events over the expected life of each mortgage loan and a forecast of home prices in different economic environments over a reasonable and supportable period. The increase in loss reserves for this portion of our book was low relative to its size due to the credit quality of these loans and because our current model forecasts home price growth.

The allowance for loan losses on the TDR book was already measured using an expected lifetime credit loss estimate. The expected credit losses on this portion of our single-family book decreased upon the adoption of CECL because the new guidance required us to exclude from our estimate of credit losses all pre-foreclosure and post-foreclosure costs that are expected to be advanced after the balance sheet date. Prior to the adoption of CECL, we incorporated these costs in our estimate of expected credit losses for this book.