UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 22, 2005
Federal National Mortgage Association
Fannie Mae
Federally chartered corporation
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000-50231 | 52-0883107 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission | (IRS Employer | ||
of incorporation)
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File Number) | Identification Number) |
3900 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
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20016 | |||
Washington, DC
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(Zip Code) | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 202-752-7000
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report): ________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 22, 2005, Fannie Mae (formally, the Federal National Mortgage Association) issued its monthly financial summary release for the month of January 2005. The summary, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report, is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this item, including the exhibit submitted herewith, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any disclosure document of Fannie Mae, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such document.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On February 23, 2005, Fannie Mae released an update on capital plan and accounting issues. The release, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits. The exhibit index filed herewith is incorporated herein by reference.
-2-
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION | ||||||
By | /s/ Ann M. Kappler
Ann M. Kappler Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
Date: February 23, 2005
-3-
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are submitted herewith:
Exhibit Number
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Description of Exhibit | |
99.1
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Monthly summary release for January 2005 issued by Fannie Mae on February 22, 2005. | |
99.2
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February 23, 2005 Statement by Fannie Mae. |
-4-
EXHIBIT 99.1
FANNIE MAE
MONTHLY SUMMARY
January 2005
HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY INCLUDE:
| Total business volume was $48.1 billion in January compared with $50.7 billion the previous month. | |||
| Mortgage portfolio sales rose to $6.4 billion as historically tight mortgage-to-debt spreads provided economically attractive opportunities to sell portfolio assets. | |||
| Portfolio purchases were $11.1 billion, compared with $13.0 billion in December. | |||
| The mortgage portfolio declined at a 16.8 percent annualized rate in January, compared with a 10.1 percent decline in December 2004. Outstanding MBS grew at a 12.0 percent annualized rate in January compared with 8.5 percent in December as a result of mortgage portfolio sales and a reduction in Fannie Mae MBS purchases. | |||
| The conventional single-family delinquency rate fell one basis point to 0.63 percent in December. The multifamily delinquency rate remained stable at 0.10 percent. | |||
| The duration gap on Fannie Maes mortgage portfolio averaged a minus one month in January, for the third consecutive month. |
Mortgage Portfolio, Gross 2/
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Outstanding MBS 3/ |
Book of Business |
||||||||||||||||||||||
End Balance |
Growth Rate 4/ |
End Balance |
Growth Rate 4/ |
End Balance |
Growth Rate 4/ |
|||||||||||||||||||
February 2004 |
$ | 882,124 | (6.1 | %) | $ | 1,335,714 | 16.6 | % | $ | 2,217,838 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||||||
March 2004 |
880,911 | (1.6 | %) | 1,345,892 | 9.5 | % | 2,226,803 | 5.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
April 2004 |
880,481 | (0.6 | %) | 1,353,399 | 6.9 | % | 2,233,880 | 3.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
May 2004 |
878,386 | (2.8 | %) | 1,354,160 | 0.7 | % | 2,232,546 | (0.7 | %) | |||||||||||||||
June 2004 |
891,210 | 19.0 | % | 1,360,045 | 5.3 | % | 2,251,255 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
July 2004 |
892,724 | 2.1 | % | 1,363,317 | 2.9 | % | 2,256,041 | 2.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
August 2004 |
895,428 | 3.7 | % | 1,368,918 | 5.0 | % | 2,264,345 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
September 2004 |
904,543 | 12.9 | % | 1,377,680 | 8.0 | % | 2,282,223 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
October 2004 |
913,246 | 12.2 | % | 1,386,272 | 7.7 | % | 2,299,518 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
November 2004 |
912,608 | (0.8 | %) | 1,393,205 | 6.2 | % | 2,305,813 | 3.3 | % | |||||||||||||||
December 2004 |
904,555 | (10.1 | %) | 1,402,761 | 8.5 | % | 2,307,316 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Full year 2004 |
$ | 904,555 | 0.7 | % | $ | 1,402,761 | 7.9 | % | $ | 2,307,316 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||||
January 2005 |
$ | 890,834 | (16.8 | %) | $ | 1,416,038 | 12.0 | % | $ | 2,306,871 | (0.2 | %) |
MBS
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||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Fannie Mae | MBS Issues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Single-family | Multifamily | Lender-originated | MBS | Acquired | Portfolio | Business | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issues |
Issues |
Issues 5/ |
Purchases 6/ |
by Others |
Purchases |
Volume |
||||||||||||||||||||||
February 2004 |
$ | 38,605 | $ | 200 | $ | 38,804 | $ | 181 | $ | 38,624 | $ | 12,170 | $ | 50,794 | ||||||||||||||
March 2004 |
44,345 | 1,019 | 45,365 | 6,507 | 38,858 | 20,260 | 59,118 | |||||||||||||||||||||
April 2004 |
56,117 | 424 | 56,541 | 10,198 | 46,344 | 27,448 | 73,792 | |||||||||||||||||||||
May 2004 |
57,629 | 931 | 58,559 | 10,670 | 47,889 | 26,686 | 74,575 | |||||||||||||||||||||
June 2004 |
52,981 | 711 | 53,692 | 13,330 | 40,362 | 37,164 | 77,526 | |||||||||||||||||||||
July 2004 |
38,719 | 916 | 39,636 | 5,676 | 33,960 | 21,618 | 55,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||
August 2004 |
34,685 | 276 | 34,961 | 4,676 | 30,285 | 21,787 | 52,072 | |||||||||||||||||||||
September 2004 |
40,647 | 224 | 40,870 | 5,074 | 35,796 | 27,661 | 63,457 | |||||||||||||||||||||
October 2004 |
37,594 | 694 | 38,289 | 3,665 | 34,623 | 27,142 | 61,766 | |||||||||||||||||||||
November 2004 |
35,739 | 520 | 36,259 | 2,717 | 33,542 | 19,121 | 52,662 | |||||||||||||||||||||
December 2004 |
38,941 | 434 | 39,375 | 1,642 | 37,732 | 13,016 | 50,748 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Full year 2004 |
$ | 520,292 | $ | 6,854 | $ | 527,146 | $ | 64,604 | $ | 462,542 | $ | 262,647 | $ | 725,189 | ||||||||||||||
January 2005 |
$ | 35,440 | $ | 2,016 | $ | 37,457 | $ | 451 | $ | 37,006 | $ | 11,095 | $ | 48,101 |
Purchases
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Mortgage | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Retained | Single- | Total | Portfolio | |||||||||||||||||||||
Commitments |
family |
Multifamily |
Purchases |
Net Yield 7/ |
Sales |
|||||||||||||||||||
February 2004 |
$ | 12,576 | $ | 11,834 | $ | 337 | $ | 12,170 | 3.68 | % | $ | 1,326 | ||||||||||||
March 2004 |
29,411 | 19,406 | 854 | 20,260 | 4.53 | % | 1,023 | |||||||||||||||||
April 2004 |
28,860 | 25,997 | 1,451 | 27,448 | 4.37 | % | 1,583 | |||||||||||||||||
May 2004 |
28,389 | 25,461 | 1,226 | 26,686 | 4.55 | % | 885 | |||||||||||||||||
June 2004 |
29,668 | 34,775 | 2,389 | 37,164 | 4.44 | % | 1,695 | |||||||||||||||||
July 2004 |
19,504 | 20,667 | 950 | 21,618 | 4.44 | % | 681 | |||||||||||||||||
August 2004 |
24,683 | 20,747 | 1,040 | 21,787 | 4.14 | % | 1,932 | |||||||||||||||||
September 2004 |
30,783 | 24,193 | 3,468 | 27,661 | 3.61 | % | 1,195 | |||||||||||||||||
October 2004 |
19,356 | 23,109 | 4,034 | 27,142 | 3.59 | % | 941 | |||||||||||||||||
November 2004 |
11,887 | 16,634 | 2,486 | 19,121 | 4.16 | % | 1,511 | |||||||||||||||||
December 2004 |
9,330 | 10,980 | 2,036 | 13,016 | 4.71 | % | 1,653 | |||||||||||||||||
Full year 2004 |
$ | 256,144 | $ | 241,800 | $ | 20,848 | $ | 262,647 | 4.22 | % | $ | 16,449 | ||||||||||||
January 2005 |
$ | 797 | $ | 7,783 | $ | 3,312 | $ | 11,095 | 4.40 | % | $ | 6,360 |
1/ |
Represents unpaid principal balance. | |
2/ |
Excludes mark-to-market adjustments, deferred balances and allowance for losses. Includes $479 billion of Fannie Mae MBS as of January 31, 2005. | |
3/ |
MBS held by investors other than Fannie Maes portfolio. | |
4/ |
Growth rates are compounded. | |
5/ |
Excludes MBS issued from Fannie Maes portfolio, which was $1,840 million in January 2005. | |
6/ |
Included in total portfolio purchases. | |
7/ | Yields shown on a taxable-equivalent basis. | |
Numbers may not foot due to rounding. |
1
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LIQUIDATIONS ($ in Millions) 1/ |
DELINQUENCY RATES |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage Portfolio | Outstanding MBS | Single-family Conventional 2/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liquidations | Liquidations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Credit | Credit | Multifamily | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount |
Annual Rate |
Amount |
Annual Rate |
Enhancement 3/ |
Enhancement 4/ |
Total 5/ |
Total 6/ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
February 2004 |
$ | 15,419 | 20.92 | % | $ | 22,948 | 20.75 | % | 0.31 | % | 1.70 | % | 0.61 | % | 0.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||
March 2004 |
20,444 | 27.83 | % | 29,702 | 26.58 | % | 0.30 | % | 1.62 | % | 0.58 | % | 0.17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
April 2004 |
26,086 | 35.54 | % | 40,419 | 35.94 | % | 0.29 | % | 1.58 | % | 0.56 | % | 0.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
May 2004 |
27,917 | 38.09 | % | 48,013 | 42.56 | % | 0.29 | % | 1.61 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
June 2004 |
22,783 | 30.90 | % | 36,063 | 31.89 | % | 0.29 | % | 1.62 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
July 2004 |
19,467 | 26.19 | % | 31,363 | 27.64 | % | 0.29 | % | 1.65 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
August 2004 |
17,179 | 23.06 | % | 26,442 | 23.23 | % | 0.30 | % | 1.67 | % | 0.58 | % | 0.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
September 2004 |
17,361 | 23.15 | % | 27,168 | 23.74 | % | 0.30 | % | 1.72 | % | 0.59 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
October 2004 |
17,529 | 23.14 | % | 26,970 | 23.42 | % | 0.32 | % | 1.77 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
November 2004 |
18,295 | 24.05 | % | 28,104 | 24.27 | % | 0.33 | % | 1.84 | % | 0.64 | % | 0.10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
December 2004 |
19,449 | 25.69 | % | 29,779 | 25.56 | % | 0.33 | % | 1.84 | % | 0.63 | % | 0.10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Full year 2004 |
$ | 240,201 | 26.87 | % | $ | 374,688 | 27.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 2005 |
$ | 18,480 | 24.70 | % | $ | 30,063 | 25.60 | % |
Net | Liquid | Total Net | ||||||||||
Mortgages |
Investments |
Investments |
||||||||||
February 2004 |
$ | 883,892 | $ | 63,749 | $ | 947,641 | ||||||
March 2004 |
876,205 | 66,996 | 943,201 | |||||||||
April 2004 |
870,446 | 75,787 | 946,232 | |||||||||
May 2004 |
866,855 | 82,711 | 949,567 | |||||||||
June 2004 |
873,386 | 71,698 | 945,084 | |||||||||
July 2004 |
883,135 | 63,078 | 946,213 | |||||||||
August 2004 |
887,471 | 64,853 | 952,324 | |||||||||
September 2004 |
895,590 | 69,256 | 964,846 | |||||||||
October 2004 |
903,065 | 61,445 | 964,510 | |||||||||
November 2004 |
907,233 | 62,836 | 970,069 | |||||||||
December 2004 |
904,200 | 58,877 | 963,077 | |||||||||
YTD 2004 |
$ | 886,699 | $ | 67,510 | $ | 954,208 | ||||||
January 2005 |
$ | 891,533 | $ | 66,667 | $ | 958,200 |
Effective | ||||
Duration Gap 7/ | ||||
(in months) | ||||
February 2004 |
-1 | |||
March 2004 |
0 | |||
April 2004 |
3 | |||
May 2004 |
3 | |||
June 2004 |
2 | |||
July 2004 |
0 | |||
August 2004 |
-2 | |||
September 2004 |
-2 | |||
October 2004 |
0 | |||
November 2004 |
-1 | |||
December 2004 |
-1 | |||
January 2005 |
-1 |
*Note:
|
Fannie Maes monthly summary excludes net interest income at risk information. On December 15, 2004, the Office of the Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) issued a statement (the Statement) regarding a review of certain accounting issues relating to Fannie Mae, including a determination by the SEC that Fannie Mae should restate its financial statements to eliminate the use of hedge accounting. The restatement will affect Fannie Maes net interest income at risk information. On December 16, 2004, Fannie Mae filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC that includes a copy of the Statement. |
1/
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Represents unpaid principal balance. | |
2/
|
Includes conventional loans three or more months delinquent or in foreclosure process as a percent of the number of loans. | |
3/
|
Loans without primary mortgage insurance or any credit enhancements. | |
4/
|
Loans with primary mortgage insurance and other credit enhancements. | |
5/
|
Total of single-family non-credit enhanced and credit enhanced loans. | |
6/
|
Includes loans and securities 60 days or more past due and is calculated based on mortgage credit book of business. | |
7/
|
The duration gap is a weighted average for the month. | |
Numbers may not foot due to rounding. |
2
The information presented in this report is unaudited and includes, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normally recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation. Fannie Mae has announced that its previously issued financial statements and information should no longer be relied upon in light of the SECs determination that the financial statements were prepared applying accounting practices that did not comply with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Fannie Mae has also announced that it will restate its previously issued financial statements and that its audit committee has approved the engagement of new auditors to serve as Fannie Maes independent auditors for 2001 through 2004. It is possible that the re-audit and restatement of Fannie Maes financial statements may result in changes to some of the information in this report.
For more information about the restatement and the reaudit, please see the Form 8-Ks Fannie Mae filed with the SEC on December 22, 2004 and January 4, 2005. For more information regarding Fannie Mae, please visit www.fanniemae.com or contact us at (202) 752-7115.
Exhibit 99.2
Chuck Greener
|
Janis Smith | |
202-752-2616
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202-752-6673 |
3466
February 23, 2005
Statement by Fannie Mae
Update on Capital Plan and Accounting Issues
Fannie Maes management team is committed to work with our regulator, our Board of Directors, our external auditor and our Boards independent counsel to complete the ongoing reviews, complete the restatement and re-audit process, and strengthen our operations to ensure we can continue to achieve our mission in a safe and sound manner. As this process continues, Fannie Mae will continue to provide periodic updates and announcements on key actions and significant information emerging from the reviews.
Fannie Mae has been working closely with OFHEO to fulfill the terms of the September 27, 2004 agreement and to cooperate with the agencys continuing special examination of the companys accounting policies and practices and internal controls. The Board of Directors, in concert with independent counsel engaged by the Board (the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP), and management also continue to make progress on internal reviews as the company works through the restatement of its financial statements. In parallel, new management is undertaking a complete reorganization of the accounting function and a bottom-up review of accounting policies and controls.
Fannie Mae has received approval by OFHEO of the companys proposed capital restoration plan. In addition, OFHEO also has notified Fannie Mae of several issues regarding accounting policies, internal controls and financial reporting processes that the agency has identified in its ongoing special examination.
Last December, after classifying Fannie Mae as significantly undercapitalized, OFHEO directed the company to submit a capital restoration plan that would provide for compliance with its minimum capital requirement, as well as a 30 percent capital surplus. Fannie Mae formally began its capital restoration program last December by issuing $5 billion in preferred stock. In addition, the company reduced its first quarter 2005 common stock dividend by 50 percent to accelerate capital restoration.
Fannie Mae worked with OFHEO to develop and submit a proposed capital restoration plan, and having obtained the agencys approval, the company will work closely and cooperatively with OFHEO to carry out the requirements of the plan.
1
Under the OFHEO-approved plan, Fannie Mae intends to achieve the 30 percent capital surplus by September 30, 2005 through 1) managing total balance sheet asset size by reducing the portfolio principally through normal mortgage liquidations in order to limit overall minimum capital requirements; and 2) increasing core capital through retained earnings, including cost-cutting efforts to augment capital accumulation.
The plan assumes no increase in the companys common stock dividend from its current level. As OFHEO directed, the plan also incorporates a formal process of monitoring and reporting to the agency on Fannie Maes progress in carrying out the plan. (A summary of the capital restoration plan is attached.)
OFHEO also has notified Fannie Maes Board of Directors and management of several accounting and internal control issues and questions the agency has identified in its ongoing special examination, and directed that these matters be included in the internal reviews by Fannie Maes board and management and reviewed by the companys external auditor. OFHEO indicated that it has not completed its review of all aspects of these issues, but has identified policies that it believes appear to be inconsistent with generally accepted accounting principles as well as internal control deficiencies that it believes raise safety and soundness concerns. The issues and questions pertain to the following areas: securities accounting, loan accounting, consolidations, accounting for commitments, and practices to smooth certain income and expense amounts. OFHEO also raised concerns regarding journal entry controls, systems limitations, and database modifications, as well as new developments relating to FAS 91. (A summary of the additional issues and questions raised in OFHEOs special examination of Fannie Mae is attached.)
Fannie Maes Board and management are addressing the issues and questions raised by OFHEO. Fannie Mae will report to OFHEO regarding each of these issues, and will continue to work with OFHEO to resolve these matters as part of the companys ongoing internal reviews and its restatement process.
* * *
Since December 2004, Fannie Mae has taken a number of significant actions in consultation with OFHEO to address deficiencies the regulator identified in the companys financial reporting and accounting systems and controls. These actions include:
Ø | Engagement of a new external auditor, Deloitte & Touche LLP; | |||
Ø | Personnel changes in the Controllers Office and Internal Audit department; | |||
Ø | Organizational changes in the Controllers Office and the undertaking of enhancements to the Internal Audit function; | |||
Ø | A series of meetings with OFHEO and Deloitte & Touche to identify particular areas for review during the restatement process. |
Pursuant to the September 27, 2004 agreement, Fannie Mae will submit to OFHEO by February 25, 2005 a plan to fundamentally restructure and strengthen the companys financial and risk management organization. Fannie Mae already has appointed an interim Chief Risk Officer, and under the proposed reorganization will appoint a Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.
2
Management has initiated a comprehensive review of accounting routines and controls, the financial reporting process and the application of generally accepted accounting principles. The issues OFHEO has identified described above, as well as issues identified by management and/or Deloitte & Touche, will be reviewed, restated where necessary and submitted to Deloitte & Touche for review as part of its audit. The company is committed to informing OFHEO, Paul Weiss, and Deloitte & Touche of our work on these matters, including the companys approach to completing the restatement, realigning financial control and audit functions and overhauling reporting systems.
***
This statement and the attached summary of Fannie Maes Capital Restoration Plan include forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Fannie Maes compliance with and results under the Capital Restoration Plan. These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions by the companys management, and on information currently available to management. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Examples of such factors include, but are not limited to, the progress and outcome of the companys financial restatement, adjustments to the companys financials resulting from the re-audit by the companys new auditors, the market for the companys products and services and competition in the markets in which the company operates, the success of Fannie Maes cost-cutting efforts, the outcome of the investigation being conducted by independent counsel on behalf of the companys Board of Directors, and unanticipated expenses that result from the foregoing.
3
Capital Restoration Plan Summary
On December 21, 2004, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) classified Fannie Mae as significantly undercapitalized as of September 30, 2004. The agency directed the company to submit a capital restoration plan that would (a) achieve the companys minimum capital requirements; and (b) provide for a 30 percent capital surplus by September 30, 2005. (After submission of the capital plan and discussion with OFHEO, the agency extended the deadline for meeting the plan to September 30th from the June 30th date included in the September 27, 2004 agreement.) Pursuant to OFHEOs directive, Fannie Mae submitted a Capital Restoration Plan to the agency and has obtained OFHEOs approval of the plan. The plan was based on Fannie Maes estimate of its financial position as of December 31, 2004 taking into account previously announced financial statement items that require restatement. The restatement process may result in additional adjustments, perhaps material adjustments, to prior and current period financial results that are not reflected in the plan.
Highlights of the Capital Restoration Plan
Fannie Mae formally began its capital restoration program on December 30, 2004 with the issuance of $5 billion in preferred stock. In addition, Fannie Mae reduced its first quarter 2005 common stock dividend by 50 percent explicitly to accelerate the companys compliance with OFHEOs direction to achieve a 30 percent minimum capital surplus.
Under the plan, Fannie Mae details how the company expects to meet both its minimum capital requirement on an ongoing basis, as well as achieve OFHEOs 30 percent surplus capital requirement by September 30, 2005. The plan assumes no increase in the companys common stock dividend from its current level and would achieve the capital goal through two key elements:
Ø | Managing total balance sheet asset size by reducing the portfolio principally through normal mortgage liquidations, in order to limit overall minimum capital requirements; | |||
Ø | Increasing core capital through retained earnings, including cost-cutting efforts to augment capital accumulation. |
The Capital Restoration Plan provides for a small cushion of capital above the 30 percent surplus on September 30, 2005 as a contingency against events that might affect the companys ability to achieve the 30 percent surplus level. Should this capital surplus cushion be insufficient to cover extraordinary events, the plan also includes other contingency measures to provide additional capital, such as reductions in mortgage portfolio balances, additional preferred stock issuance, and, as a last resort, a further reduction of the common stock dividend. Mark-to-market fluctuations in interest rate derivatives used to hedge the mortgage portfolio, but not in hedge accounting relationships, may cause volatility in capital account balances.
4
Cost-control actions
Given the key role that retained earnings play in restoring capital, OFHEO has directed that the plan also incorporate a discussion and analysis of Fannie Maes commitment to assess and implement appropriate cost-cutting actions. Cost-control actions began in January with the nonpayment of 2004 non-salary cash awards for senior management. Fannie Mae also has canceled plans to develop major new corporate facilities at Waterside Mall in Southwest Washington, DC, eliminating significant future acquisition and infrastructure costs. In addition, the company will sharply curtail its corporate advertising campaign and use of political consultants. To identify further cost reductions and savings, Fannie Maes interim Chief Financial Officer has established a comprehensive review of current and planned expenditures associated with ongoing business operations.
Process and Controls Surrounding Plan Implementation
As OFHEO directed, Fannie Mae will institute a formal process of monitoring and reporting regularly to the agency on the companys progress in carrying out the capital plan, maintaining the required capital levels and undertaking any contingency measures that may be necessary. At a minimum, weekly meetings will continue with OFHEO staff to review internal documents and customized reports that highlight several key matters, including recent market conditions and business activity.
Conclusion
Fannie Mae believes that the Capital Restoration Plan approved by OFHEO will allow the company to meet its minimum capital requirement, as well as OFHEOs required 30 percent surplus by the September 30, 2005 deadline. Indeed, Fannie Maes Board and management believe that by tightly controlling balance sheet size, and applying additional retained earnings to capital, the company could exceed the surplus capital goal with a cushion for contingencies.
The Board of Directors and management of Fannie Mae appreciate the assistance of OFHEO in developing the plan. Fannie Mae is committed to working closely and cooperatively with OFHEO as the company carries out the plan. Fannie Mae will seek OFHEOs input and approval at the earliest stages possible for actions provided under the plan, as well as for any additional or contingency actions that may be needed. More broadly, Fannie Mae will keep OFHEO apprised of all significant business actions and changes in market conditions that might affect the companys capital position. The Board and management are committed to building a strong and productive working relationship that extends well beyond the restoration of Fannie Maes capital and other elements of our September 27, 2004 Agreement.
5
Summary of Additional Issues and Questions
Raised in OFHEOs Special Examination of Fannie Mae
In the course of its ongoing special examination, OFHEO has communicated to Fannie Maes Board of Directors and management additional issues relating to Fannie Maes accounting policies and practices and internal controls. OFHEO indicated that it has not completed its review of all aspects of these issues, but has identified policies that it believes do not appear to be consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, as well as internal control deficiencies that it believes raise safety and soundness concerns. OFHEO has advised Fannie Maes Board of Directors and management that these matters should be included in the internal reviews being conducted by management and the Board and should be reviewed by Fannie Maes external auditor, with a report of the findings to OFHEO.
The issues are summarized below:
Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (FAS 115). OFHEO has questioned Fannie Maes compliance with the requirements of FAS 115 for designating when mortgage-backed securities purchased for Fannie Maes investment portfolio are designated as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Specifically, OFHEO raised concerns about the timing of Fannie Maes designation and about whether certain designations or redesignations subsequent to acquisition should be accounted for as transfers of securities from one such class to another.
Financial Accounting Standard No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (FAS 140). Fannie Mae regularly enters into agreements pursuant to which it sells mortgage-backed securities and agrees to repurchase substantially similar securities at a later date. These agreements are referred to as dollar-roll repurchase agreements. Under FAS 140, Fannie Mae accounts for these transactions as secured lending transactions rather than sales of the underlying mortgage-backed securities, because Fannie Mae is entitled and obligated to repurchase these securities, or substantially similar securities, before maturity. Some of the securities involved in these transactions are mortgage-backed securities classified as held-to-maturity. If the requirements of FAS 140 are not met, then the transaction must be recorded as a sale of a held-to-maturity security. If there are recurring sales of held-to-maturity securities, it is possible that all securities classified as held-to-maturity could be required to be reclassified as available-for-sale.
OFHEO raised questions about Fannie Maes policies and procedures for determining whether
securities qualify as substantially similar to those sold under FAS 140, as well as Fannie Maes
monitoring of these transactions for compliance with the requirements of FAS 140 and Fannie Maes
policies and procedures regarding when it must be determined that a dollar-roll repurchase
transaction has failed to occur as anticipated, and therefore has failed to qualify under FAS 140
for treatment as secured financing instead of as a sale.
OFHEO also raised questions regarding whether Fannie Mae adequately monitors the collateral in
these transactions and Fannie Maes compliance with its policies with regard to ensuring the return
of substantially similar securities. OFHEO also questioned Fannie Maes practice for recognizing
failed deliveries under the contracts.
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Financial Accounting Standard No. 65, Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities (FAS 65). Fannie Mae purchases mortgage loans from lenders, which are either securitized or retained as investments in the mortgage portfolio. The loans retained in the portfolio are classified as held-for-investment pursuant to Fannie Maes policies. The mortgage loans that are securitized are either sold to a third party or held in the portfolio. At the time Fannie Mae acquires mortgage loans, Fannie Mae identifies the loans that will be securitized and at the end of the month of acquisition such loans are classified as held-for-investment or held-for-sale, depending upon the intent for the securities to be created.
OFHEO has identified issues relating to Fannie Maes classification of loans purchased for Fannie Maes portfolio as either held-for-investment or held-for-sale. Specifically, a systems upgrade in 2004 identified a long-standing practice of improperly designating all loans intended to be securitized as described above as held-for-investment. OFHEO has directed Fannie Mae to identify and properly record these loans, and has questioned whether Fannie Mae may treat loans acquired in the future as held-for-investment given these past systems errors.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) 51 (Financial Interpretation No. 46, or FIN 46). Fannie Mae uses Qualified Special Purpose Entities (QSPEs) to issue mortgage-backed securities. QSPEs are exempt from FIN 46 unless the company has the unilateral ability to liquidate or change the QSPE. Fannie Maes policy defines the unilateral ability to liquidate a QSPE as owning 100% of the pool. That policy also provides that wholly-owned pools of securities be transferred from available-for-sale investments to held-to-maturity investments or that we sell 1% of the wholly-owned pool to a third party. OFHEO has questioned whether this policy complies with the requirements of FIN 46 and whether these transfers have a valid business purpose.
Financial Accounting Standard No. 149, Amendments of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS 149). Under FAS 149, Fannie Mae accounts for certain purchase and sale commitments of mortgage-related assets as derivatives. Fannie Mae applies cash flow hedge accounting to certain of these transactions. OFHEO has questioned the adequacy of Fannie Maes methodology, assumptions and documentation for applying cash flow hedge accounting to these transactions. OFHEO also questioned whether certain transactions have been accounted for inconsistently since the inception of FAS 149 on July 1, 2003.
Timing of Recognition of Certain Income and Expense Amounts. OFHEO has raised questions about Fannie Maes practice of recognizing interest expense on short-term debt instruments and interest income on certain liquid investments in a monthly ratable manner rather than pursuant to the contractual accrual convention, which had the effect of smoothing certain income and expense amounts. In addition, OFHEO has questioned whether Fannie Mae appropriately deferred recognizing the financial impact of implementing new systems or correcting estimation methodologies.
Controls and Procedures; Systems Limitations. OFHEO has raised a number of questions about Fannie Maes internal controls and systems, including questions relating to Fannie Maes procedures for preparing, reviewing, validating, authorizing and recording journal entries relating to amortization adjustments; reliance on software applications and systems relating to portfolio accounting that may be ill-suited or ill-equipped for their intended purposes; and controls surrounding database modifications.
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Financial Accounting Standard No. 91, Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases (FAS 91). OFHEO raised questions about Fannie Maes procedures relating to adjusting amortization factors for premiums, discounts, and other deferred purchase and guaranty fee price adjustments under FAS 91.
Fannie Maes management and Board of Directors are examining each of these issues and will report to, and work with, OFHEO to resolve these matters.
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