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.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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