Statement: Confirmation Of Brian Montgomery As FHA Commissioner
WASHINGTON — Lindsey Johnson, President and Executive Director of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), today issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Brian Montgomery to serve as Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner:
“USMI applauds the Senate for its bipartisan vote to confirm Brian Montgomery to serve as FHA Commissioner. Commissioner Montgomery is a respected expert and seasoned mortgage finance professional, and his unique experience and past public service will be assets in tackling the challenges facing the FHA and housing finance system going forward.
“Commissioner Montgomery’s previously expressed views that private capital should play a leading role in guaranteeing low down payment mortgage credit risk to protect U.S. taxpayers and the federal government are encouraging, as well as his belief that the FHA ‘should never take the place of the private sector first-loss solution provided by private mortgage insurers.’ We are confident that Commissioner Montgomery will continue to be a champion for a robust housing finance system that strikes the appropriate balance between the conventional market backed by private capital and government-backed FHA loans. We also believe that Commissioner Montgomery’s experience and expertise overseeing and managing the FHA will be pivotal in returning the FHA to its more appropriate and intended role in the housing market – one that focuses on those borrowers who need the FHA’s 100% taxpayer-backed loans the most.
“The FHA has and will continue to play a critical role in the housing finance system, but its footprint has expanded dramatically since the 2008 financial crisis. Commissioner Montgomery must focus on ensuring that the FHA is not overexposing taxpayers to undue mortgage credit risk and refocus the agency on its core mission. We look forward to working closely and collaboratively with Commissioner Montgomery to create a more coordinated, consistent, and transparent housing system – a system that can expand private capital’s role in shouldering more risk in front of taxpayers in the housing market. For more than 60 years private mortgage insurance has played a leading role in promoting affordable and sustainable homeownership, and we look forward to building upon our success in the future.”
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U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI) is dedicated to a housing finance system backed by private capital that enables access to housing finance for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Mortgage insurance offers an effective way to make mortgage credit available to more people. USMI is ready to help build the future of homeownership. Learn more at www.usmi.org.
