The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is hosting a virtual public listening session to facilitate public engagement around the topic of multifamily access for small lenders. FHFA is interested in learning how small multifamily lenders, such as depository institutions, CDFIs, credit unions, and housing finance agencies, might gain access to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily products. The purpose of the listening session is to receive input and feedback from a diverse set of viewpoints on the following questions and any other issues related to multifamily small lender access. A separate session on single-family competitiveness will be held later this Summer.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways are small multifamily lenders uniquely suited to serve the multifamily market?

2. For small multifamily lenders currently working with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac:

a. What is working well, and what are your suggestions for building on these successes?

b. What challenges do you currently face, and what are your suggestions for overcoming these challenges?

3. What key obstacles do small multifamily lenders face to becoming a Fannie Mae-qualified lender, and what are your suggestions for overcoming these obstacles?

4. What key obstacles do small multifamily lenders face to becoming a Freddie Mac-qualified lender, and what are your suggestions for overcoming these obstacles?

5. What would facilitate increased access to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products by small lenders?

The session is tentatively scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. ET. You may register to attend on the following page. A limited number of brief speaking slots during the session are available.