Trump Administration Prepares Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for IPOs

The TRUMP administration is advancing plans to take mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public later this year, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The IPOs could value the companies at a combined $500 billion or more, with a potential $30 billion share sale.

Both entities have remained under federal conservatorship since their 2008 bailouts. Created by Congress to stabilize the housing market, they collapsed during the financial crisis and required a taxpayer-funded rescue. Treasury holds preferred shares that have yielded billions in dividends.

Previous attempts to reprivatize the mortgage backbones—including during Trump's first term—have stalled. The move WOULD mark a significant step in their rehabilitation, though challenges remain in unwinding government control.