​​​​​This report, which covers fiscal year (FY) 2009 through FY 2013, is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Title II, Section 203, of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act). The No FEAR Act, Public Law 107-174, requires that federal agencies be publicly accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.

​This report describes the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Act).

​FHFA is committed to providing access to agency records through a citizen-centered and results-oriented FOIA program. Its unified FOIA regulation adopted the plain language question and answer format that often is preferred for general public audiences. As a new independent agency, its FOIA working group also is thoroughly reviewing changes that could improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of the agency’s FOIA program. ​​​

Fourth Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Refinance volume decreased again in December as mortgage rates ranged between four to four and a half percent since June. In December, mortgage rates rose: the average interest rate on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage reached 4.46 percent, over one percent more than the record low mortgage rate observed at the end of 2012.​
• In the fourth quarter 2013, 115,140 refinances were completed through HARP, bringing the total refinances through HARP from ​the inception of the program to 3,057,958.​
• HARP volume represented 23 perce

January 2014 Highlights

• ​Refinance volume decreased again in January as mortgage rates ranged ​between four to four and a half percent since June 2013. In January, mortgage rates decreased slightly: the average interest rate on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.43 percent, remaining over one perc​ent higher than the record low mortgage rates observed at the end of 2012.

• ​In January 2014, 29,974 refinances were completed through HARP, bringing the total refinances through HARP from the ​inception of the program to 3,087,933.​

January 2014 Highlights

The Enterprises' Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

• Nearly 30,200 foreclosure prevention actions were completed in January, bringing the total to more than 3.1 million sin​ce the start of conservatorship in​ September 2008.

November 2013 Highlights

The Enterprises' Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

• ​Approximately 32,500 foreclosure prevention actions were completed in November, bringing the total to nearly 3.1 million since the start of conservatorship in September 2008.

October 2013 Highlights

The Enterprises' Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

• ​Approximately 34,600 foreclosure prevention actions were completed in October, bringing the total to more than 3 million since the start of conservatorship in September 2008.