[SuziQ]

In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.

How prescient. Too bad they didn't make this information available again during this past election, but that would have been an "Inconvenient Truth" wouldn't it?

[inspector]

Having been in the residential mortgage business for over 20 years, I have a four letter word for those who advocated this easing of credit: RENT. Think of all money we would have saved if these unqualified borrowers had simply RENTED a home or an apartment.