Allowance for Loan Losses (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Receivables [Abstract]

Allowance for Loan Losses [Policy Text Block]

Our allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of HFI loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The allowance for loan losses reflects an estimate of expected credit losses on single-family and multifamily HFI loans held by Fannie Mae and by consolidated Fannie Mae MBS trusts. Estimates of credit losses are based on expected cash flows derived from internal models that estimate loan performance under simulated ranges of economic environments. Our modeled loan performance is based on our historical experience of loans with similar risk characteristics adjusted to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Our historical loss experience and our credit loss estimates capture the possibility of remote events that could result in credit losses on loans that are considered low risk. The allowance for loans losses does not consider benefits from freestanding credit enhancements, such as our CAS and CIRT programs and multifamily Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS^®”) lender risk-sharing arrangements, which are recorded in “Other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable balances as we have a nonaccrual policy to ensure the timely reversal of unpaid accrued interest. See “Note 4, Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional information about our current period provision for loan losses, including a discussion of the estimates used in measuring the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our allowance.

Changes to our estimate of expected credit losses, including changes due to the passage of time, are recorded through the benefit (provision) for credit losses. When calculating our allowance for loan losses, we consider only our amortized cost in the loans at the balance sheet date. We record write-offs as a reduction to the allowance for loan losses when losses are

confirmed through the receipt of assets in satisfaction of a loan, such as the underlying collateral upon foreclosure or cash upon completion of a short sale. Additionally, we record write-offs as a reduction to our allowance for loan losses when a loan is determined to be uncollectible and upon the transfer of a nonperforming loan from HFI to HFS. We include expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off in determining our allowance for loan lossesThe estimated mark-to-market LTV ratio is a primary factor we consider when estimating our allowance for loan losses for single-family loans. As LTV ratios increase, the borrower's equity in the home decreases, which may negatively affect the borrower's ability to refinance or to sell the property for an amount at or above the outstanding balance of the loanProperty rental income and property valuations are key inputs to our internally assigned credit risk ratings.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. We record write-offs as a reduction to our allowance for loan losses at the point of foreclosure, completion of a short sale, upon the redesignation of nonperforming loans from HFI to HFS or when a loan is determined to be uncollectible.Our provision for loan losses can vary substantially from period to period based on a number of factors, such as changes in actual and forecasted home prices or property valuations, fluctuations in actual and forecasted interest rates, borrower payment behavior, events such as natural disasters or pandemics, the types and volume of our loss mitigation activities, including forbearance and loan modifications, the volume of foreclosures completed, and the redesignation of loans from HFI to HFS. Estimating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our expected loan loss reserves required significant management judgment, including estimates of the number of single-family borrowers who will receive forbearance and any resulting loan modifications that will be provided once the forbearance period ends. Under our CECL methodology, depending on the type of loan modification granted, loss severity estimates vary. Our provision can also be impacted by updates to the models, assumptions, and data used in determining our allowance for loan losses. Freestanding credit enhancements primarily consist of transactions under our CAS program, our CIRT program, and certain lender risk-sharing programs, including our multifamily DUS program. The impact from these credit enhancements is recorded in “Fee and other income” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.