Fair Lending, Fair Housing, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans
Published Date: 2/6/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting March 9, 2026, the Federal Housing Finance Agency is scrapping its 2024 rule that made big mortgage companies follow specific fair housing and lending plans. This change affects Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, freeing them from some reporting and compliance duties. No new costs or fees are coming, but these companies will have more flexibility in how they handle fair lending and housing rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Big Mortgage Firms Freed from Part 1293
Starting March 9, 2026, FHFA repeals 12 CFR part 1293, so Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks are no longer required to follow the part 1293 rules (including triennial Equitable Housing Finance Plans, certain reporting and certification duties, and some borrower data collection requirements). The repeal relieves those regulated entities of the compliance and reporting obligations that had been imposed by the 2024 rule.
Existing Fair-Lending Laws Remain in Force
Repealing part 1293 does not change regulated entities' obligations under existing statutes: they must still comply with the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the fair housing provisions of the Safety and Soundness Act, affordable housing goals, the Duty to Serve, and statutorily required funding for the Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund. In short, consumer protections and statutory housing goals described in those laws remain applicable.
FHFA Keeps Supervisory Enforcement Powers
Even after repeal, FHFA retains and will continue to exercise its general regulatory, examination, and enforcement authorities over the Enterprises and the Banks, and may use supervision, enforcement, or coordination with other agencies as appropriate. The Agency says repeal of part 1293 is not intended to affect the applicability or enforcement of other federal fair-lending and consumer protection laws against the regulated entities.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14036, Suspended Counterparty Program
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) wants to update its Suspended Counterparty Program by removing the phrase “reputational harm” to focus only on real, measurable risks. This change affects companies that do business with FHFA and aims to make supervision clearer and more straightforward. Comments on this proposal are open until August 12, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!
2026-17586, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is proposing to modify an existing system of records titled, "Financial Management System, FHFA-2." This system of records contains documentation pertaining to prospective, present, and former FHFA employees, contractors, and vendors relating to government travel, vendor accounts, employee reimbursements, interagency transactions, aggregated employee pay records, vendor registration data, purchase- card accounts and transactions, and program payment agreements. The purpose of the system is to support the management and administration of FHFA's accounting and financial operations, travel and purchase-card programs, and acquisition and contract management services. FHFA collects and maintains these records to ensure the orderly processing of the Agency's financial transactions and payments, including travel arrangements, reimbursements, employee payroll, and purchase-card payments. The system organizes and enables the retrieval of these records, which ensures that all financial transactions and payments are processed timely, consistently and in compliance with federal requirements. The proposed modifications include: revising the system security classification, system location, system manager, and legal authorities for maintenance of the system; clarifying the purpose of the system, categories of individuals covered by the system, and categories of records maintained in the system; the revision, removal, and addition of routine uses; removal of the Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies section; updating the policies and practices for storage of records, the policies and practices for retention and disposal of records, and the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; and minor updates for clarity and consistency.
2026-17587, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is proposing to modify an existing system of records titled, "Payroll, Retirement, Time and Attendance, and Leave Records, FHFA-15." This system of records contains records pertaining to current and former employees, detailees, and other persons who work at FHFA under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, as well as these individuals' spouses, domestic partners, dependents, emergency contacts, beneficiaries, or estate trustees. The proposed modifications include: revising the system security classification, system location, system manager, legal authorities for maintenance of the system, purpose of the system, and categories of records maintained in the system; the revision and addition of routine uses; updating the policies and practices for storage of records, policies and practices for the retention and disposal of records, and the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; and other minor updates for clarity and consistency.
2026-17585, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is proposing to modify an existing system of records titled, "Employee Benefits Records, FHFA-10." This system of records contains documentation pertaining to current and former FHFA employees and their spouses, domestic partners, dependents, and beneficiaries who are enrolled in, apply for, or participate in any FHFA employee benefits program including health club memberships; health, life, and other insurance programs; retirement savings programs; and other FHFA- sponsored benefit programs. The purpose of the system is to collect, maintain, and use the records necessary to administer and manage FHFA's employee benefits programs. The system supports the full lifecycle of benefits-related activities, and ensures the accurate processing of claims, reimbursements, contributions, payroll deductions, and benefit payments. The system also facilitates the recording and tracking of key program functions, including eligibility determinations, enrollments, changes in coverage, and termination of benefits. The proposed modifications include: revising the system security classification, system location, system manager, legal authorities for maintenance of the system, categories of individuals covered by the system, categories of records maintained in the system, and record source categories; the revision, removal, and addition of routine uses; removal of the Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies section; updating the policies and practices for storage of records, the policies and practices for retention and disposal of records, and the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; and minor updates for clarity and consistency.
2026-17307, Interagency Rescission of the Interagency Statement on Special Purpose Credit Programs Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B
FDIC, NCUA, OCC, CFPB, HUD, DOJ, and FHFA (collectively, the agencies) are issuing this notice to inform the public of the rescission of the "Interagency Statement on Special Purpose Credit Programs Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B" (Interagency Statement), dated February 22, 2022. The agencies are rescinding the Interagency Statement to make clear that (1) creditors may not discriminate against borrowers based on prohibited characteristics and (2) creditors should not rely upon the Interagency Statement or other related issuances going forward.
2026-12750, Enterprise Duty To Serve Underserved Markets
The Federal Housing Finance Agency wants to update rules so Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can better help families with low to moderate incomes, especially in manufactured, affordable, and rural housing. The new plan aims to make it easier for these companies to innovate and serve these communities without lots of red tape. People can send their thoughts on this proposal by July 24, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02321, Amendment of Class E Airspace; Benton Harbor, MI
The FAA is updating the Class E airspace around Southwest Michigan Regional Airport in Benton Harbor, MI, because a nearby navigation beacon was turned off. These changes help keep flights safe and follow new rules, starting May 14, 2026. Pilots flying in and out of Benton Harbor will notice the updated airspace and airport info, but there’s no cost impact for anyone.
Next: 2026-02326, Appellate Procedures for the Board of Immigration Appeals
Starting March 9, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals will change how it reviews cases from Immigration Judges. Now, the Board can choose which cases to review fully, set clear deadlines for briefs, and speed up decisions to cut down the backlog. These updates affect immigrants appealing decisions and aim to make the process faster without extra costs.