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US lenders 'face state takeover' US lenders 'face state takeover'
(about 7 hours later)
US mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are set to be put under government control in an attempt to rescue the firms, media reports say.US mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are set to be put under government control in an attempt to rescue the firms, media reports say.
Top bosses would be removed under the US Treasury plans - which could see the US's largest ever financial bail-out.Top bosses would be removed under the US Treasury plans - which could see the US's largest ever financial bail-out.
The takeover of the shareholder-owned companies, which hold or guarantee half the country's mortgage debt, could be announced by the US Treasury on Sunday.The takeover of the shareholder-owned companies, which hold or guarantee half the country's mortgage debt, could be announced by the US Treasury on Sunday.
In July, Congress approved a plan aimed at offering them more liquidity.In July, Congress approved a plan aimed at offering them more liquidity.
This followed huge losses by the two firms as result of a big increase in defaults and repossessions in the US housing market.This followed huge losses by the two firms as result of a big increase in defaults and repossessions in the US housing market.
'Management told''Management told'
On Saturday, a senior politician, Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had told him the government would use its powers to ensure the continued and stable functioning of the companies.On Saturday, a senior politician, Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had told him the government would use its powers to ensure the continued and stable functioning of the companies.
The Washington Post, quoting senior administration sources, said the firms would be put under a legal status known as "conservatorship" which would greatly reduce the value of the two companies' common stock.The Washington Post, quoting senior administration sources, said the firms would be put under a legal status known as "conservatorship" which would greatly reduce the value of the two companies' common stock.
Other securities - including company debt and preferred shares - would be guaranteed by the government, the paper added.Other securities - including company debt and preferred shares - would be guaranteed by the government, the paper added.
The New York Times reported that senior executives at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were informed about the plan on Friday.The New York Times reported that senior executives at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were informed about the plan on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal said it would include changes in the top management.The Wall Street Journal said it would include changes in the top management.
There would also be quarterly infusions of cash to keep both firms afloat, the papers say. The total cost to taxpayers is not known but could amount to billions of dollars, they add.There would also be quarterly infusions of cash to keep both firms afloat, the papers say. The total cost to taxpayers is not known but could amount to billions of dollars, they add.
Struggling homeownersStruggling homeowners
The two contenders for the US presidency, Barack Obama and John McCain, have been briefed on the takeover by Mr Paulson.The two contenders for the US presidency, Barack Obama and John McCain, have been briefed on the takeover by Mr Paulson.
"We've got to keep people in their homes," said the Republican candidate, John McCain."We've got to keep people in their homes," said the Republican candidate, John McCain.
"There's got to be restructuring, there's got to be reorganisation, and there's got to be some confidence that we've stopped this downward spiral," he added, saying that the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must not benefit executives at the two companies."There's got to be restructuring, there's got to be reorganisation, and there's got to be some confidence that we've stopped this downward spiral," he added, saying that the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must not benefit executives at the two companies.
The Democratic Party candidate, Barack Obama, said any action should be focused "on whether it will strengthen our economy and help struggling homeowners".The Democratic Party candidate, Barack Obama, said any action should be focused "on whether it will strengthen our economy and help struggling homeowners".
"We must not allow government intervention to protect investors and speculators who relied on the government to reap massive profits," he said, adding "we must protect taxpayers, not bail out the shareholders and management of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac"."We must not allow government intervention to protect investors and speculators who relied on the government to reap massive profits," he said, adding "we must protect taxpayers, not bail out the shareholders and management of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac".
FragileFragile
On Friday, America's Mortgage Bankers Association reported that at the end of June, about four million homeowners with a mortgage - representing a record 9% - either were behind in their payments or faced repossession.On Friday, America's Mortgage Bankers Association reported that at the end of June, about four million homeowners with a mortgage - representing a record 9% - either were behind in their payments or faced repossession.
In the past year, the financial crisis have taken a heavy toll on both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the past year, the financial crisis has taken a heavy toll on both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The country's two largest buyers and backers of mortgages lost a combined $3.1bn between April and June.The country's two largest buyers and backers of mortgages lost a combined $3.1bn between April and June.
Both companies say they have the resources to weather the losses, but their shares have fallen sharply on fears that they could go bankrupt as borrowers default.Both companies say they have the resources to weather the losses, but their shares have fallen sharply on fears that they could go bankrupt as borrowers default.
The rescue plan passed by Congress in July gave the US government the authority to buy shares and offer liquidity to companies to keep them afloat.The rescue plan passed by Congress in July gave the US government the authority to buy shares and offer liquidity to companies to keep them afloat.
Many analysts believe their collapse would be a major shock to the already fragile global financial system.Many analysts believe their collapse would be a major shock to the already fragile global financial system.
Together, the two firms own or guarantee about $5.3 trillion worth of home loans - about half the outstanding mortgages in the US.Together, the two firms own or guarantee about $5.3 trillion worth of home loans - about half the outstanding mortgages in the US.
That is about 25 times as big as the obligations of Northern Rock - which was nationalised by the UK government earlier this year, and twice the size of the UK economy.That is about 25 times as big as the obligations of Northern Rock - which was nationalised by the UK government earlier this year, and twice the size of the UK economy.