Also written as:
FHFA
The Federal Housing Finance Agency — the regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Sets the annual conforming loan limits.
The FHFA — Federal Housing Finance Agency — is the regulator and current conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Created in 2008 during the housing crisis, the FHFA oversees how the GSEs operate and sets the underwriting standards they have to follow.
For most borrowers, the most visible FHFA action each year is setting the conforming loan limit — the maximum loan amount Fannie and Freddie will buy. In 2026 the baseline is about $806,500, with higher limits in high-cost areas. Loans above the limit become jumbo loans.
The FHFA also publishes the House Price Index, releases public reports on the health of the mortgage market, and approves changes to the GSEs' underwriting policies. It's an under-the-radar agency that quietly shapes most of American mortgage lending.
Example
Each November, the FHFA announces next year's conforming loan limits. The 2026 baseline rose to $806,500 (from $766,550 in 2025), reflecting national home-price appreciation. That immediately increases the maximum conforming loan available in every county.
Also known as
FHFA, Federal Housing Finance Agency
Source:
FHFA