United States Government Accountability Office

GAO Report to Congressional Requesters

FEDERAL HOUSING 

ADMINISTRATION 

Decline in the 

Agency’s Market 

Share Was Associated 

with Product and 

Process Developments 

of Other Mortgage 

Market Participants 

June 2007 

 

GAO-07-645 
What GAO Found

United States Government Accountability Office

Why GAO Did This Study

Highlights

Accountability Integrity Reliability

June 2007

FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION

Decline in the Agency’s Market Share 

Was Associated with Product and 

Process Developments of Other Mortgage 

Market Participants 

Highlights of GAO-07-645, a report to 

congressional requesters 

The Federal Housing 

Administration (FHA) historically 

has been an important participant 

in the mortgage market, which 

includes loans that carry 

government insurance or 

guarantees (such as FHA-insured 

mortgages) and those that do not 

(conventional mortgages). The 

conventional market comprises 

prime loans for the most 

creditworthy borrowers and 

subprime loans for borrowers with 

impaired credit. Reduced demand 

for FHA-insured mortgages—which 

are used primarily by borrowers

who would have difficulty obtaining

conventional prime loans—has 

raised questions about the agency's 

role in and ability to adapt to the 

mortgage market. 

This report discusses (1) trends in 

FHA’s share of the market for 

home purchase mortgages from

1996 through 2005, and how they

compared with the trends for other 

market segments; and (2) factors 

associated with the trends in FHA’s 

market share and the implications

of these trends for homebuyers and

FHA. To address these objectives, 

GAO analyzed FHA and Home 

Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) 

data and interviewed officials from

FHA and other mortgage

institutions. 

 

From 1996 through 2005, FHA’s share of the market for home purchase 

mortgages in terms of numbers of loans declined 13 percentage points (from 

19 to 6 percent), while the prime and subprime shares grew 3 and 13 

percentage points, respectively (see figure). The agency experienced a 

sharp decrease among populations where it traditionally has had a strong 

presence. For example, FHA’s market share dropped 25 percentage points 

(from 32 to 7 percent) among minority borrowers and 16 percentage points 

(from 26 to 10 percent) among low- and moderate-income borrowers. At the 

same time, subprime market share among these groups rose dramatically. 

The decline in FHA’s market share was associated with a number of factors 

and has been accompanied by higher ultimate costs for certain conventional 

borrowers and a worsening in indicators of credit risk among FHA 

borrowers. More specifically, (1) FHA’s product restrictions and lack of 

process improvements relative to the conventional market and (2) product 

innovations and expanded loan origination and funding channels in the 

conventional market—coupled with interest rate and house price changes—

provided conditions that favored conventional over FHA-insured mortgages. 

In contrast to FHA-insured loans, the majority of conventional subprime 

loans had higher ultimate costs to borrowers, partly because their initial low 

interest rates could increase substantially in a short period of time. 

Relatively high default and foreclosure rates for subprime mortgages and a 

contraction of this market segment could shift market share to FHA. The 

extent to which this occurs will depend partly on the ability of FHA and 

other market participants to offer mortgage alternatives to borrowers 

considering or struggling to maintain higher-priced subprime loans. 

Market Shares for Home Purchase Loans, 1996-2005 

0

20

40

60

80

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage

Prime

Subprime

FHA

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data.

www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-645.

To view the full product, including the scope 

and methodology, click on the link above. 

For more information, contact William B. 

Shear at (202) 512-8678 or shearw@gao.gov. 
Contents 

Letter 1

Results in Brief 4

Background 6

FHA’s Market Share Declined from 1996 through 2005, While the 

Conventional Market Share Increased, Especially among 

Minority and Lower-Income Borrowers 8 

The Decline in FHA’s Market Share Was Associated with Several 

Factors and Has Been Accompanied by Higher Costs for Certain 

Conventional Borrowers and Increased Credit Risk for FHA 19 

Observations 28

Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 29 

Appendix I Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 30 

Appendix II Data on Market Share Trends in the Mortgage 

Market and Selected Submarkets from 1996 

through 2005 35 

Appendix III Data on Selected Borrower and Loan Characteristics 

for FHA, Prime, and Subprime Loans, 1996 through 

2005 42 

Appendix IV Comments from the Department of Housing and 

Urban Development 46 

Appendix V GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments 48

Tables 

Table 1: Market Shares for Home Purchase Loans, 1996-2005 35 

Table 2: State-by-State FHA Market Shares and Loan Counts for 

Home Purchase Loans, 1996-2005 36 

Page i GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Table 3: Market Shares for Home Purchase Loans in Selected

Submarkets, 1996-2005 39 

Table 4: Market Shares for Home Purchase and Refinance Loans, 

1996-2005 41

Table 5: Market Shares for Refinance Loans, 1996-2005 41 

Table 6: Selected FHA Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 1996-

2005 42 

Table 7: Selected Prime Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 1996-

2005 43 

Table 8: Selected Subprime Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 

1996-2005 44

Figures 

Figure 1: FHA and Other Market Participants’ Shares of the Home 

Purchase Mortgage Market, 1996-2005 10 

Figure 2: FHA, Prime, Subprime, and GSE Shares of the Minority 

Submarket for Home Purchase Mortgages, 1996-2005 12 

Figure 3: FHA, Prime, Subprime, and GSE Shares of the LowerIncome Submarket for Home Purchase Mortgages, 1996-

2005 13

Figure 4: Changes in Market Shares for FHA-Insured, Prime, and 

Subprime Loans in Census Tracts with Different Race and

Income Characteristics, 1996 through 2005 16 

Figure 5: FHA’s Market Share in Census Tract Groupings with 

Different Median Credit Scores, 1996-2005 18 

Page ii GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Abbreviations 

APR Annual Percentage Rate 

ARM adjustable rate mortgage 

FFIEC Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 

FHA Federal Housing Administration 

GSE government-sponsored enterprises 

HMDA Home Mortgage Disclosure Act 

HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development 

MBA Mortgage Bankers Association 

OFHEO Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight 

RHS Rural Housing Service 

SFDW Single-Family Data Warehouse 

TOTAL Technology Open to Approved Lenders 

VA Veterans Administration

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Page iii GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
United States Government Accountability Office

Washington, DC 20548 

June 29, 2007 

The Honorable Richard Shelby 

Ranking Member, 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 

United States Senate 

The Honorable Richard Shelby 

Ranking Member, 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 

United States Senate 

The Honorable Wayne Allard 

United States Senate 

Through its single-family mortgage insurance programs, the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration

(FHA) insures private lenders against losses from defaults on mortgages 

that meet FHA criteria. FHA historically has been an important participant 

in the market for home purchase mortgages, which grew from 3.1 million 

loans in 1996 to 4.7 million loans in 2005.1

 FHA in the past has played a 

particularly large role among minority, lower-income, and first-time 

homebuyers and generally is thought to promote stability in the market by 

helping to ensure the availability of mortgage credit in areas that may be 

underserved by the private sector during economic downturns. However, 

demand for FHA-insured mortgages has dropped sharply in recent years, 

raising questions about the agency’s role in and ability to adapt to a 

changing mortgage market. To help FHA adapt to market changes, in 2006 

HUD submitted a legislative proposal to Congress that, among other 

things, would raise FHA’s loan limits, give the agency flexibility to set 

insurance premiums based on the credit risk of borrowers, and reduce 

down-payment requirements from the current 3 percent to potentially 

zero. Our analysis of the major elements of this proposal are contained in a 

companion report that we are issuing today.2

Through its single-family mortgage insurance programs, the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration

(FHA) insures private lenders against losses from defaults on mortgages 

that meet FHA criteria. FHA historically has been an important participant 

in the market for home purchase mortgages, which grew from 3.1 million 

loans in 1996 to 4.7 million loans in 2005.1

 FHA in the past has played a 

particularly large role among minority, lower-income, and first-time 

homebuyers and generally is thought to promote stability in the market by 

helping to ensure the availability of mortgage credit in areas that may be 

underserved by the private sector during economic downturns. However, 

demand for FHA-insured mortgages has dropped sharply in recent years, 

raising questions about the agency’s role in and ability to adapt to a 

changing mortgage market. To help FHA adapt to market changes, in 2006 

HUD submitted a legislative proposal to Congress that, among other 

things, would raise FHA’s loan limits, give the agency flexibility to set 

insurance premiums based on the credit risk of borrowers, and reduce 

down-payment requirements from the current 3 percent to potentially 

zero. Our analysis of the major elements of this proposal are contained in a 

companion report that we are issuing today.2

The different parts of the mortgage market are defined by the types of 

mortgage institutions that serve them and the credit quality of the 

borrowers. The conventional market, comprising mortgages that do not 

carry government insurance or guarantees, has prime and subprime 

The different parts of the mortgage market are defined by the types of 

mortgage institutions that serve them and the credit quality of the 

borrowers. The conventional market, comprising mortgages that do not 

carry government insurance or guarantees, has prime and subprime 

 1

Home purchase mortgages do not include mortgages for refinancing existing loans. 

2

See GAO, Federal Housing Administration: Modernization Proposals Would Have 

Program and Budget Implications and Require Continued Improvements in Risk

Management, GAO-07-708 (Washington, D.C.: June 29, 2007). 

Page 1 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
segments.3

 Prime borrowers typically have strong credit scores and obtain

the most competitive interest rates and mortgage terms.4

 In contrast, 

subprime borrowers typically have blemished credit and lower credit 

scores, may have difficulty providing income documentation, and 

generally pay higher interest rates and fees than prime borrowers. 

Mortgages purchased by two government-sponsored enterprises (GSE), 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, comprise another, albeit overlapping, 

market segment. The GSEs purchase (primarily conventional prime) loans 

and pool them to create securities sold to investors. The GSEs have goals 

directed at financing housing for lower-income families and in 

underserved areas. FHA is a major part of the market segment comprising 

loans with government insurance or guarantees, which primarily serves 

borrowers who would have difficulty obtaining conventional prime 

mortgages.5

 The borrowers are allowed to make very low down payments 

and generally pay interest rates that are competitive with prime mortgages 

but also pay fees or premiums to cover the cost of the guaranty. 

To provide insights into FHA’s role in the mortgage market, this report 

discusses (1) trends in FHA’s share of the market for home purchase 

mortgages and selected submarkets from 1996 through 2005, and how they

compared with the trends for the prime, subprime, and GSE market 

segments; and (2) the major factors associated with the trends in FHA’s 

market share and the implications of these trends for homebuyers and 

FHA.6

 In addition, appendix III of this report provides information on 

selected borrower and loan characteristics of FHA mortgages and 

mortgages in the prime and subprime market segments. 

 3

There is no uniform definition across the lending industry for what characterizes a loan as

subprime. Subprime loans are generally given to borrowers with credit scores that are 

below a certain threshold, but that threshold can vary according to the policies of the 

individual lender. 

4

Credit scores, which assign a numeric value to a borrower’s credit history, have become a

common tool for assessing loan applications. 

5

The insurance or guarantees protect lenders against losses from loan defaults. The 

Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture administer the other 

two federal programs that guarantee single-family mortgages. Conventional loans with low 

down payments also may require mortgage insurance, which borrowers purchase from

private companies. 

6

We calculated market shares in terms of numbers of loans. We use the term “submarkets” 

to mean subsets of the home purchase mortgage market defined by various borrower, loan,

and census tract characteristics. 

Page 2 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
To analyze trends in the overall market for home purchase mortgages, we

compiled and analyzed loan data for 1996 through 2005 collected under the 

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). HMDA requires lending 

institutions to collect and publicly disclose information about housing 

loans and applications for such loans. HMDA data capture about 80 

percent of the mortgage loans funded each year, according to estimates by 

the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), 

and are one of the most comprehensive sources of information on 

mortgage lending. HMDA data have a number of limitations that affected 

our analysis. More specifically, the data (1) understate the number of loans 

purchased by the GSEs, (2) do not include a precise indicator for subprime 

loans, and (3) do not distinguish first mortgages from “piggyback” loans 

(i.e., the junior lien in a pair of loans used to finance the same property) 

for most of the period we examined. While we acknowledge these 

limitations, we used HMDA data to evaluate long-term market share trends 

rather than to provide precise annual figures for each market segment, 

including the GSE segment. According to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and 

Federal Reserve officials, our use of HMDA data was appropriate for this 

purpose. We identified subprime loans by merging the data with a HUDmaintained list of lenders that specialize in subprime lending. We 

identified piggyback loans using a data matching process based on an 

algorithm developed by the Federal Reserve and excluded these loans 

from our analysis. To analyze trends in various submarkets, we 

incorporated additional data from FHA, the Census Bureau, the Office of

Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, and TransUnion.7

 To determine the 

factors associated with the trends in FHA’s market share and the potential

implications of these trends, we analyzed HMDA data, information from 

HUD’s Single-Family Data Warehouse (SFDW), the Mortgage Bankers 

Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey, and summary statistics 

provided by FHA and contained in prior studies from databases 

maintained by LoanPerformance.8

 We also reviewed literature, analyzed

agency documents, and interviewed FHA officials, mortgage industry 

participants, and academic researchers. To determine borrower and loan 

characteristics for different market segments, we analyzed HMDA data, 

information from SFDW and the Federal Housing Finance Board, and 

summary LoanPerformance data. Appendix I contains additional 

 7

TransUnion is one of the three main consumer credit reporting agencies. 

8

LoanPerformance is a private firm that maintains databases containing detailed 

information submitted by participating lenders and third parties (e.g., securities issuers and 

dealers) on millions of mortgages. SFDW contains detailed information on the borrower 

and loan characteristics of the mortgages FHA insures. 

Page 3 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
information on our scope and methodology. We conducted our work in 

Washington, D.C., from September 2006 through May 2007 in accordance 

with generally accepted government auditing standards. 

FHA’s share of the market for home purchase mortgages declined 

substantially from 1996 through 2005, most significantly among minority 

borrowers who accounted for a growing share of subprime loans in that 

period. More specifically, FHA’s market share in terms of numbers of 

loans fell from 19 percent in 1996 to 6 percent in 2005, with almost all of 

the decline occurring since 2001. In contrast, 

Results in Brief 

• the market share for prime loans was relatively stable over the 10-year 

period, growing from 73 to 76 percent;

• the market share for subprime loans grew nearly every year, rising from 2 

percent to 15 percent overall, with particularly large increases since 2001;

and 

• the market share of the housing GSEs—essentially a subset of the prime 

market—rose 3 percentage points overall (to roughly 30 percent in 2005),

with nearly all of the growth occurring before 2002. 

During the 10-year period, the same general pattern of declining market 

share for FHA and increasing market share for conventional loans held 

true in submarkets where FHA traditionally has played a major role. For 

example, among minorities, FHA’s market share fell 25 percentage points 

(from 32 to 7 percent), while conventional prime and subprime shares rose 

6 and 24 percentage points, respectively. The drop in FHA’s market share 

was particularly large—35 percentage points—among Hispanic borrowers. 

Among lower-income (i.e., low- and moderate-income) borrowers, FHA’s 

market share fell 16 percentage points (from 26 to 10 percent), while the 

prime and subprime shares grew 7 and 14 percentage points, respectively.9

Consistent with these trends, in geographic areas with higher proportions 

of minority and lower-income borrowers, FHA lost substantial market 

share while subprime lending grew dramatically. The same pattern was 

also evident in areas with relatively low median credit scores and where 

median home prices rose to at least 75 percent of FHA’s loan limit during 

the 10-year period. 

 9

We defined lower-income borrowers as those with incomes less than 120 percent of the

area median income. 

Page 4 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
The decline in FHA’s market share was associated with several factors and 

has been accompanied by higher ultimate costs for certain conventional 

borrowers and a worsening in indicators of credit risk among FHA 

borrowers. More specifically, (1) FHA’s product restrictions and lack of 

process improvements relative to the conventional market and (2) product 

innovations and expanded loan origination and funding channels in the 

conventional market—coupled with interest rate and house price 

changes—provided conditions that favored conventional mortgages over 

FHA products. For example, mortgage industry officials with whom we 

spoke cited FHA’s administrative requirements and loan limits as factors 

that limited the attractiveness of FHA-insured mortgages. Additionally, 

historically low interest rates and rising house prices increased demand 

for loan products offered by the conventional market (especially subprime 

lenders), which featured flexible payment and interest options that 

allowed borrowers to qualify for mortgages despite the appreciations in 

home values. Most subprime borrowers opted for adjustable rate products

(in 2005, more than 75 percent of subprime loans were adjustable rate), 

having been attracted by their “affordability” features, such as lower initial 

payments and interest rates. In contrast to FHA-insured loans, the majority 

of subprime loans had higher ultimate costs, in part because their initial 

interest rates could increase 3 percentage points in as little as 2 years and 

two-thirds featured prepayment penalties, which can deter borrowers 

from refinancing into lower-cost products. Subprime loans also have 

experienced relatively high rates of default and foreclosure, adding to 

concerns about their long-term cost to borrowers. Certain factors 

associated with the decline in FHA’s market share also have negatively 

affected the financial performance of FHA’s insurance program. More 

specifically, as conventional lenders expanded their presence in traditional

FHA submarkets through the development of new products and use of 

automated underwriting tools, FHA experienced adverse selection—that 

is, conventional providers identified and approved relatively lower-risk 

borrowers, leaving relatively higher-risk borrowers for FHA. 

While our report does not make recommendations, we make observations

about how developments in the different segments of the mortgage market 

could affect FHA’s market share in the future. The relatively poor 

performance of subprime mortgages in recent months and a contraction of

this market segment could shift market share to FHA. But the size of this 

shift depends partly on the efforts of conventional mortgage providers, 

including the GSEs, to offer viable alternatives to subprime borrowers. 

Notwithstanding the actions of conventional providers, FHA could be a 

vehicle to provide lower-priced and more sustainable mortgage options for 

some borrowers who are considering or struggling to maintain higherPage 5 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
priced subprime loans. However, careful assessment and management of 

the risks associated with serving these borrowers would be necessary to 

avoid exacerbating problems in the financial performance of FHA’s 

insurance program. 

We provided HUD with a draft of this report. HUD commented that we 

produced a straightforward, well-researched report on the reasons for the 

recent decline in FHA’s market share. HUD also noted that additional 

product and pricing flexibility would help FHA to continue serving lowerincome and minority households. We discuss HUD’s comments in the 

agency comments section, and reproduced its written comments in 

appendix IV.

Congress established FHA in 1934 under the National Housing Act (P.L. 73-

479) to broaden homeownership, protect and sustain lending institutions, 

and stimulate employment in the building industry. Over time, FHA came 

to play a major role in extending mortgage credit to first-time homebuyers 

and historically underserved borrowers such as minority and lowerincome families. For example, in 2005, slightly less than 80 percent of FHA 

borrowers were first-time homebuyers, more than 80 percent had lower 

incomes, and approximately 30 percent were minorities. (See app. III for 

additional information on the borrower and loan characteristics of FHAinsured, prime, and subprime mortgages.) FHA currently insures a variety

of mortgages for home purchases, construction and rehabilitation, and 

refinancing, with its most popular program—Section 203(b)—offering 15- 

and 30-year mortgages for single-family dwellings. 

Generally, borrowers are required to purchase mortgage insurance when 

the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio (the amount of the mortgage loan divided by

the value of the home) exceeds 80 percent. FHA is a government mortgage 

insurer in a market that also includes private insurers. Private mortgage 

insurance policies provide lenders coverage on a portion (generally 20 to

30 percent) of the mortgage balance. However, borrowers who have

difficulty meeting down-payment and credit score requirements for 

conventional loans may find it easier to qualify for a loan with FHA 

insurance, which covers 100 percent of the value of the loan. FHA-insured 

borrowers are required to make minimum cash investments of 3 percent, 

which may come from the borrowers’ own funds or from certain thirdparty sources. Borrowers are permitted to finance their mortgage

insurance premiums and some closing costs, which can create an effective 

LTV ratio of close to 100 percent for some FHA-insured loans. In fiscal 

Background 

Page 6 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
year 2006, the agency insured almost 426,000 mortgages, representing 

about $55 billion in mortgage insurance. 

Congress has set limits on the size of the loans that may be insured by 

FHA. The limit for an FHA-insured mortgage is 95 percent of the local

median home price, not to exceed 87 percent or fall below 48 percent of 

the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit, which was $417,000 in 2006. 

Therefore, in 2006, FHA loan limits fell between a floor in low-cost areas 

of $200,160 and a ceiling in high-cost areas of $362,790. Eighty-two percent 

of counties nationwide had loan limits set at the low-cost floor, while 3 

percent had limits set at the high-cost ceiling. The remaining 15 percent of 

counties had limits set between the floor and ceiling, based on local 

median house prices. 

FHA determines the expected cost of its insurance program, known as the 

credit subsidy cost, by estimating the program’s future performance.10

FHA’s mortgage insurance program is currently a negative subsidy 

program, meaning that the present value of estimated cash inflows to 

FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (Fund) exceeds the present value

of estimated cash outflows. The economic value, or net worth, of the Fund

depends on the relative size of cash outflows and inflows over time. Cash 

flows out of the Fund for payments associated with claims on defaulted

loans and refunds of up-front premiums on prepaid mortgages. To cover 

these outflows, FHA receives cash inflows from borrowers’ insurance 

premiums and net proceeds from recoveries on defaulted loans. If the 

Fund were to be exhausted, the U.S. Treasury would have to cover 

lenders’ claims directly. 

A number of different private-sector and government institutions 

participate in the mortgage market. Along with FHA, the Department of 

Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Loan Guaranty Service and the Department of 

Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) administer federal government 

programs that insure or guarantee single-family mortgages made by 

private lenders. Private lenders that loan borrowers funds for home 

purchase and refinance mortgages often work with mortgage brokers, 

independent contractors that originate the loan products of multiple 

 10Pursuant to the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, HUD must annually estimate the 

credit subsidy costs for its loan insurance programs. Credit subsidy costs are the net

present value of estimated payments it makes less the estimated amounts it receives, 

excluding administrative costs. 

Page 7 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
lenders.11 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are housing GSEs that purchase 

primarily prime conventional mortgages from lenders across the country, 

financing their purchases through borrowing or by issuing securities 

backed by the mortgages. Since 1994, HUD has set affordable housing 

goals for the housing GSEs and has adjusted the goals upward every few 

years. One goal is that at least 55 percent of the mortgages purchased by 

the GSEs must be made to families whose incomes are no greater than the 

area median income. The other two major goals concern the percentage of 

mortgages to borrowers residing in lower-income communities and certain

high-minority neighborhoods (38 percent) and the percentage of 

borrowers with very low incomes and those with low incomes who live in

low-income areas (25 percent).12

FHA’s share of the market for home purchase mortgages in terms of 

numbers of loans declined 13 percentage points from 1996 through 2005, 

while the prime share increased slightly and the subprime share grew 13 

percentage points. Although the decline in FHA’s market share was broadbased, FHA experienced particularly sharp decreases in submarkets where 

it traditionally has had a strong presence, such as among minority and 

lower-income borrowers. Consistent with these trends, in geographic 

areas with higher concentrations of these borrowers, FHA lost substantial 

market share while the subprime share grew dramatically. The same 

pattern held true in areas with relatively low median credit scores and 

where median home prices rose to at least 75 percent of FHA’s loan limit 

during the 10-year period. 

FHA’s Market Share 

Declined from 1996 

through 2005, While 

the Conventional 

Market Share 

Increased, Especially 

among Minority and 

Lower-Income 

Borrowers 

 11Mortgage origination involves such functions as accepting loan applications and obtaining 

employment verifications and credit reports on the borrowers. It is distinct from mortgage 

underwriting, which refers to a risk analysis that uses information collected during the 

origination process to decide whether to approve a loan. 

12For purposes of the GSE goals, lower-incomes neighborhoods are those with a median 

income less than or equal to 90 percent of the area median income and high-minority 

neighborhoods are those with at least a 30 percent minority population and a median

income less than 120 percent of the area median. Low- and very-low-income borrowers are 

defined as those with incomes less than 80 percent and 60 percent of the area median 

income, respectively. 

Page 8 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
From 1996 through 2005, FHA’s share of the home purchase mortgage 

market declined while the conventional share increased.13 As shown in 

figure 1, FHA’s market share fell from almost 19 percent (about 583,000

loans) in 1996 to about 6 percent (about 295,000 loans) in 2005, with 

almost all of the decline occurring after 2001.

14 Although FHA’s market 

share has fluctuated over time, during the past two decades it has 

generally been over 10 percent. 

FHA’s Market Share 

Decreased While 

Conventional Market 

Share, Particularly for 

Subprime Loans, Grew 

 13During the 10-year period, VA and RHS had small market shares. VA’s market share fell 

from 6 to 2 percent and RHS’s market share remained at or near 0.4 percent. 

14From 1996 through 2005, FHA’s share of the overall mortgage market (home purchase and

refinance loans combined) declined from 12 to 4 percent, while the prime share fell from 78

to 77 percent and the subprime share increased from 5 to 19 percent. Appendix II provides

additional information on FHA and other market segments’ share of the home purchase,

refinance, and overall mortgage markets. 

Page 9 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Figure 1: FHA and Other Market Participants’ Shares of the Home Purchase Mortgage Market, 1996-2005 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage

FHA

Subprime

Prime

GSE

VA

RHS

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data.

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated and purchased in different years 

or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by the GSEs. 

Over the 10-year period, the market share for conventional mortgages rose 

from almost 75 percent (about 2.3 million loans in 1996) to about 91 

percent (about 4.2 million loans in 2005), with much of the increase due to

growth in subprime lending. More specifically, prime market share 

increased from 73 percent to 76 percent overall, falling somewhat from 

1996 through 2000 but then increasing about 5 percentage points after 

2000. Subprime market share increased substantially over the 10-year 

period, from 2 percent to 15 percent, with most of the increase occurring 

after 2001 (growing from 5 percent in 2001 to 15 percent in 2005). From 

1996 through 2005, the market share for the GSEs (essentially a subset of

the conventional prime market) increased 3 percentage points overall (to 

roughly 30 percent in 2005), growing about 13 percentage points from 1996 

through 2002 but falling 9 percentage points thereafter. 

Page 10 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
From 1996 through 2005, FHA lost market share in certain key 

submarkets, especially among minority and lower-income borrowers, as 

well as among borrowers with mortgages within FHA’s loan limits. At the 

same time, the market share for conventional mortgages, particularly 

subprime loans, grew in these submarkets. This trend also held true in 

census tracts with high concentrations of low-income and minority 

households, relatively low median credit scores, and median home prices 

within FHA’s loan limits. Mirroring the trend in the overall home purchase 

mortgage market, FHA’s loss of market share in these submarkets 

primarily occurred after 2001. (See app. II for details on the trends in 

specific submarkets for each market segment) 

FHA traditionally has played a major role among minority borrowers. 

However, over the 10-year period, FHA’s share of this submarket fell 

substantially. Specifically, as shown in figure 2, FHA’s market share 

dropped 25 percentage points (from 32 to 7 percent) among minority 

borrowers, but declined most sharply among black and Hispanic 

borrowers (by 27 and 35 percentage points, respectively). FHA’s market 

share among white borrowers decreased from 16 percent to 7 percent 

during the 10-year period. 

Especially among Black, 

Hispanic, and LowerIncome Borrowers, FHA’s 

Market Share Declined 

Sharply and the Subprime 

Share Increased 

Racial Submarkets 

Page 11 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Figure 2: FHA, Prime, Subprime, and GSE Shares of the Minority Submarket for Home Purchase Mortgages, 1996-2005 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Percentage

GSE

FHA

Subprime

Prime

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data.

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated and purchased in different years 

or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by the GSEs. 

In contrast to FHA, prime market share increased about 6 percentage 

points (from 59 to 65 percent) among minority borrowers and 5 

percentage points (from almost 77 to just over 81 percent) among white 

borrowers from 1996 through 2005. Over the same period, subprime 

market share increased 24 percentage points (from 2 to 26 percent) among 

minorities, but especially among black and Hispanic borrowers (29 

percentage points for each group). Subprime market share among white 

borrowers increased from 1 to 9 percent from 1996 through 2005. GSE 

market share among minority borrowers ultimately did not change 

substantially, beginning and ending the period at roughly 20 percent. From 

1996 through 2002, GSE market share among minority borrowers 

increased 11 percentage points (to roughly 32 percent), but fell by about 

the same amount thereafter. GSE market share among white borrowers 

increased 7 percentage points over the 10-year period, to roughly 35

percent in 2005. 

Page 12 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Lower-income (i.e., low- and moderate-income) borrowers historically 

have relied heavily on FHA products, but FHA’s market share dropped in

this submarket as well.15 From 1996 through 2005, FHA’s market share 

decreased among borrowers of all income levels, but, as shown in figure 3, 

particularly among lower-income borrowers, where FHA’s share declined

16 percentage points (from 26 percent to 10 percent). From 1996 through

2005, FHA’s market share among upper-income borrowers fell from 9 to 2 

percent. 

Income Submarkets 

Figure 3: FHA, Prime, Subprime, and GSE Shares of the Lower-Income Submarket for Home Purchase Mortgages, 1996-2005 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

0

10

20

30

40

Percentage

GSE

FHA

Subprime

Prime

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data.

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated and purchased in different years 

or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by the GSEs. 

 15We defined low income as less than 80 percent of the median income for the census tract,

moderate income as at least 80 percent but less than 120 percent, and upper income as 120 

percent and above. 

Page 13 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Over the 10-year period, prime market share increased from 65 to 72

percent among lower-income borrowers and remained consistently high

(above 80 percent) among upper-income borrowers. At the same time, 

subprime market share increased 14 percentage points (from 1 to 15 

percent) among lower-income borrowers and 12 percentage points (from 2 

to 14 percent) among upper-income borrowers. GSE market share 

increased 8 percentage points among lower-income borrowers (to roughly 

32 percent in 2005), and remained at approximately 30 percent for upperincome borrowers. 

As previously noted, Congress has set limits on the size of FHA-insured 

loans. Although loans that fall within these limits comprise what has been

called the FHA-eligible submarket, from 1996 through 2005 FHA’s share in 

this submarket declined more sharply than in the overall home purchase 

mortgage market. Specifically, it decreased 16 percentage points (from 25 

to 9 percent), with a steep decline occurring after 2001 when its market 

share was 24 percent. FHA’s market share among minority borrowers in 

this submarket also fell dramatically (from 39 percent in 1996 to 10

percent in 2005), as did its share of loans to lower-income borrowers 

(from 28 percent in 1996 to 11 percent in 2005). 

FHA-Eligible Submarket 

While FHA’s market share declined in the FHA-eligible submarket, the 

prime and subprime market shares grew. Overall, the prime share in this 

submarket increased modestly (from 67 percent to 73 percent) from 1996 

to 2005. In contrast, the subprime share increased 14 percentage points 

(from 1 percent to 15 percent). The GSE share in this submarket increased 

15 percentage points from 1996 to 2002 (to roughly 40 percent) but fell to 

about 33 percent as of 2005. 

To further analyze mortgage market trends, we examined FHA, prime, and 

subprime market shares in various census tract groupings.16 Specifically, 

we looked at census tracts grouped based on (1) race and income 

characteristics, (2) median credit score, and (3) median home price in 

relation to FHA loan limits. For the credit score analysis, we limited our 

analysis to census tracts where FHA’s market share averaged at least 5 

Census Tracts Groupings 

Characterized by Population 

Characteristics and House 

Prices 

 16Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county. They 

usually have between 2,500 and 8,000 persons and, when first delineated, are designed to

be homogeneous with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living 

conditions. The spatial size of census tracts varies widely depending on the density of 

settlement. 

Page 14 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
percent from 1996 through 1998 (representing about 75 percent of the 

census tracts nationwide).17

From 1996 through 2005, FHA lost market share in approximately 90

percent of the census tracts we included in our analysis. As shown in 

figure 4, the losses occurred primarily in census tracts with both medium 

to high concentrations of minorities and low to moderate median 

incomes.18 At the same time, the market share for conventional loans 

increased for this group of census tracts, especially for subprime loans. 

This was particularly evident in census tracts with both the highest 

concentrations of minorities and low median incomes, where FHA’s 

market share fell 31 percentage points and subprime market share 

increased 28 percentage points. 

 17We took this approach because our analysis examined changes in FHA’s market share 

during a 10-year period when the trend in FHA’s share was downward. By using the 5

percent threshold, our analysis excluded census tracts where FHA’s market share started 

and ended the period at zero and census tracts where FHA’s market share was sporadic 

and on average very small near the beginning of the period. 

18We defined low-, medium-, and high-minority census tracts as those with minority 

populations of less than 20 percent, 20 to 49 percent, and 50 percent or more, respectively. 

We defined low-, moderate-, and upper-income census tracts as those with median incomes 

that were less than 80 percent, at least 80 percent but less than 120 percent, and 120 

percent and above, respectively, of the median income for the associated metropolitan

statistical area. 

Page 15 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Figure 4: Changes in Market Shares for FHA-Insured, Prime, and Subprime Loans in Census Tracts with Different Race and

Income Characteristics, 1996 through 2005 

Income of

census

tract

(% of MSA

median)

Moderate

(80-119%)

Low

(0-79%)

High

(120+%)

Prime

Subprime

FHA

Tracts

Loans

Prime

Subprime

FHA

Tracts

Loans

Prime

Subprime

FHA

Tracts

Loans

+3.9

+5.8

-7.0

1,569

163,626

Medium

(20-49%)

Low

(0-19%)

High

(50+%)

Minority population of census tract

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data.

% +13.6

+10.2

-17.1

2,021

297,416

+0.3

+20.4

-18.3

443

65,929

% %

+5.6

+9.8

-12.1

5,484

303,604

% +12.9

+14.5

-20.9

3,746

397,748

+7.1

+25.9

-28.6

1,969

207,706

% %

+5.6

+13.0

-15.1

187

26,319

% +10.2

+17.4

-22.4

1,026

98,981

+6.6

+27.7

-31.0

3,840

260,499

% %

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans.

Page 16 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
From 1996 through 2005, FHA’s market share declined in all of the census 

tract groupings we defined based on the median credit score of mortgage 

borrowers. However, FHA’s share declined most sharply in census tracts 

with relatively low median credit scores.19 Specifically, FHA’s market share 

dropped 26 percentage points (from about 37 percent in 1996 to 11 percent 

in 2005) in census tracts with median credit scores in the bottom quarter 

of the credit score distribution for all census tracts included in our 

analysis, with the steepest decline occurring after 2001 (see fig. 5). At the 

same time, the prime and subprime market shares in these census tracts 

increased. More specifically, the prime share increased 12 percentage

points (from about 51 percent in 1996 to 63 percent in 2005), and the 

subprime share increased 21 percentage points (from about 2 percent in 

1996 to 23 percent in 2005). In census tracts with median credit scores 

between the bottom quarter and the top quarter of the distribution, FHA’s 

market share fell 16 percentage points over the 10-year period, while the 

prime and subprime shares rose 10 and 12 percentage points, respectively. 

Finally, in census tracts with median credit scores in the top quarter of the 

distribution, FHA’s market share decreased 12 percentage points, while 

the prime and subprime shares increased 9 and 7 percentage points, 

respectively.

 19We obtained credit score data from TransUnion’s TrenData database. TransUnion 

depersonalized and aggregated the data from consumer credit reports. 

Page 17 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Figure 5: FHA’s Market Share in Census Tract Groupings with Different Median 

Credit Scores, 1996-2005 

0

10

20

30

40

50

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage

Top quarter of distribution

Between bottom and top quarter of distribution

Bottom quarter of distribution

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA and TransUnion data.

Note: We limited our analysis to census tracts where FHA’s market share averaged at least 5 percent

from 1996 through 1998. We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent

possible, excluded piggyback loans. The credit score information is from TransUnion and represents

the median credit score of mortgage borrowers in each census tract as of December 31, 2004. 

From 1996 through 2005, FHA lost market share in census tracts where 

median home prices were above and below FHA’s loan limits (which FHA 

adjusts annually within statutory caps), but experienced the greatest 

losses in census tracts where median home prices appreciated to at least 

75 percent of FHA’s loan limit during the 10-year period. In census tracts 

where the median home price was less than 75 percent of the FHA loan 

limit each year, FHA’s market share dropped 24 percentage points (from 

36 percent in 1996 to 12 percent in 2005). In census tracts where the 

median home price was at least 75 percent but less than 125 percent of the 

FHA loan limit each year, FHA’s market share fell more modestly—13 

percentage points (from 18 percent in 1996 to 5 percent in 2005). However, 

FHA lost almost all of its market share in areas where the median home 

price was less than 75 percent of the FHA loan limit early in the 10-year 

period but grew to at least 75 percent of the loan limit later in the period. 

Page 18 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Specifically, FHA’s market share in these areas fell 38 percentage points—

from 41 percent in 1996 to 3 percent in 2005. 

At the same time, conventional market share grew in the census tract 

groupings we examined. For example, in census tracts where median 

home prices were less than 75 percent of FHA’s loan limit each year, the 

prime share increased 11 percentage points (from 53 percent in 1996 to 64

percent in 2005) and the subprime share increased 18 percentage points 

(from 2 percent in 1996 to 20 percent in 2005). The prime and subprime 

market shares increased even more in census tracts where median home 

prices rose from less than 75 percent of the FHA loan limit to at least 75

percent of the limit during the 10-year period. Specifically, prime and 

subprime shares increased 22 and 25 percentage points, respectively. 

During the period from 1996 through 2005, a combination of factors 

created conditions that favored conventional mortgages over FHA 

products. These factors included (1) FHA’s product restrictions and lack 

of process improvements relative to the conventional market and (2) 

product innovations and expanded loan origination and funding channels 

in the conventional market. Most subprime mortgages, which grew in 

popularity as FHA’s market share declined, had higher ultimate costs, in 

part because their initial interest rates could reset to higher rates. In 

addition, subprime mortgages performed worse than prime and FHAinsured loans. As FHA’s market share fell, certain factors associated with

this decline also contributed to a worsening in indicators of credit risk 

among FHA borrowers. 

Lenders, mortgage industry groups, and consumer advocacy groups have 

cited FHA administrative requirements as a factor that contributed to the

decline in the agency’s market share over the 10-year period we examined. 

According to mortgage industry officials we interviewed, processing FHAinsured loans was more time consuming, labor intensive, and costly than 

processing conventional mortgages. For example, instead of having 

lenders submit all loan information electronically, FHA required lenders to

send loan case files to FHA for review before the loans could be approved

for insurance. If the review found a problem with the case file, FHA would 

mail the file back to the lender, who in turn would make the needed 

The Decline in FHA’s 

Market Share Was 

Associated with 

Several Factors and 

Has Been 

Accompanied by 

Higher Costs for 

Certain Conventional 

Borrowers and 

Increased Credit Risk 

for FHA

FHA’s Process 

Inefficiencies and Product 

Restrictions Have Been 

Linked to the Decline in 

Use of FHA-Insured 

Mortgages 

Page 19 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
corrections and mail the file back to FHA. Additionally, in contrast to 

conventional market requirements, FHA’s appraisal process required that 

minor property repairs, such as cracked window panes, be corrected prior 

to loan closing. According to the MBA, some FHA lenders have reported 

substantially higher processing times and origination costs for FHAinsured loans than for conventional loans. In contrast with FHA, 

conventional loan processing became increasingly streamlined and less 

costly through the use of information technology and the Internet. 

According to mortgage industry officials with whom we spoke, FHA’s 

more cumbersome processes made FHA’s products less attractive than 

conventional products, particularly in competitive housing markets where 

it is important to be able to close on a home quickly. 

However, in 2006, FHA made several administrative changes, such as 

allowing higher-performing lenders to approve FHA insurance without a 

prior review by FHA and simplifying its appraisal process. FHA and 

mortgage industry officials with whom we spoke said that these changes 

have increased the efficiency of loan and insurance processing, making 

FHA products more attractive and, therefore, more likely to be used.20

FHA and mortgage industry officials with whom we spoke also cited 

FHA’s loan limits as a factor that contributed to the decline in FHA’s 

market share. In some areas of the country, particularly in parts of 

California and the Northeast, median home prices have been substantially 

higher than FHA’s maximum loan limits, reducing the agency’s ability to 

serve borrowers in those markets. For example, the 2005 loan limit in 

high-cost areas was $312,895 for one-unit properties, while the median 

home price was about $399,000 in Boston, Massachusetts; about $432,000 

in Newark, New Jersey; $500,000 in Salinas, California; and about $646,000 

in San Francisco, California. 

Some mortgage industry officials also pointed to other product restrictions 

as a reason why FHA loans have been less competitive than conventional 

loans. Many borrowers either cannot or do not want to make a down 

payment, and in recent years members of the conventional mortgage 

market (such as private mortgage insurers, the housing GSEs, and large 

private lenders) have been increasingly active in supporting low and nodown-payment mortgages. For example, the GSEs introduced no-down-

 20For additional information about changes to FHA’s administrative processes, see 

GAO-07-708. 

Page 20 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
payment mortgage products in 2000. In contrast, FHA does not offer a 

zero-down-payment product, which some lenders and industry observers 

have cited as a major factor underlying the decline in FHA’s market share. 

(However, as previously noted, FHA allows borrowers to finance their upfront insurance premium and some closing costs; as a result, an FHAinsured loan could equal nearly 100 percent of the property’s value or sales

price.) 

Developments in 

Conventional Market 

Products and Processes 

Occurred as FHA’s Market 

Share Declined 

During the 10-year period we examined, several developments associated 

with FHA’s declining market share occurred in the conventional market.

First, the conventional market offered products that increased consumer 

choices for borrowers, including those who may have previously chosen 

an FHA-insured loan. These products, in combination with historically low 

interest rates, made it easier for homebuyers to purchase homes in a 

period of strong house price appreciation. For example, to serve the 

lower-income and minority populations targeted by their affordable 

housing goals, the GSEs developed products featuring underwriting 

criteria that allowed for higher risks, such as Freddie Mac’s Home 

Possible® Mortgage, which allows qualified borrowers to make no down 

payment. As the GSEs worked to meet their goals, their market share 

among lower-income and minority borrowers grew over much of the 10-

year period we examined, while FHA’s fell. More specifically, the GSE 

market share among lower-income borrowers grew nearly 14 percentage 

points from 1996 through 2002, while FHA’s share dropped 3 percentage 

points over that period. During the same time frame, GSE market share 

among minority borrowers grew 11 percentage points, while FHA’s fell 8 

percentage points. Consistent with these observations, research by An and 

Bostic (2006) found a significant negative relationship between the change 

in the GSE and FHA shares of the overall mortgage market from 1996 

through 2000.21 However, as previously noted, the market shares for both 

FHA and the GSEs ultimately declined after 2002. 

Other products offered by conventional mortgage providers—interest-only 

loans, no- and low-documentation mortgages, piggyback loans, and hybrid

adjustable rate mortgages (ARM)—also became popular, especially during 

the subprime market’s rapid growth after 2001, because they featured 

 21X. An and R. Bostic,”GSE Activity, FHA Feedback and Implications of the Efficacy of the

Affordable Housing Goals,” forthcoming in Journal of Real Estate Finance and

Economics. 

Page 21 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
flexible payment and interest options that increased initial affordability.22

For example, borrowers were attracted to hybrid ARMs because they 

could qualify on the basis of an interest rate at or near the initial rate 

rather than the higher reset rate. These nontraditional products came to 

represent a sizeable part of the subprime market after 2001. For example, 

according to data reported by an investment bank, from the first quarter of 

2002 to the third quarter of 2005, the percentage of subprime mortgages 

that were interest-only loans increased from zero to 29 percent and the 

percentage that were no- and low-documentation loans increased from 30 

to 41 percent. Over the same period, the proportion of subprime 

mortgages with piggyback loans, which are often used to avoid the need 

for mortgage insurance, increased from 2 to 33 percent.23 Additionally, 

from 2002 through 2005, the percentage of subprime mortgages that were 

ARMs grew from 68 to 73 percent, with hybrid ARMs accounting for the 

majority of these loans.24 In contrast, FHA (which, as previously discussed, 

lost substantial market share in submarkets where subprime lending grew 

dramatically) does not offer interest-only or no- and low-documentation 

products and did not begin insuring hybrid ARMs until 2004.

A second development in the conventional market was advances in 

underwriting technology that allowed conventional mortgage providers to 

process loan applications more quickly and consistently than in the past 

and broaden their customer base. For example, to help assess the default 

risk of borrowers, the mortgage industry increasingly used mortgage 

scoring and automated underwriting systems. Mortgage scoring is a 

technology-based tool that relies on the statistical analysis of millions of 

previously originated mortgage loans to determine how key attributes 

such as the borrower’s credit history, property characteristics, and terms 

of the mortgage affect future loan performance. FHA implemented its own 

mortgage scoring tool, called the Technology Open to Approved Lenders 

 22Interest-only loans allow borrowers to defer the principal payments for some period and 

hybrid ARMs allow borrowers to pay a lower interest rate for a specified time, usually 

between 2 and 5 years, before the loan resets to the fully indexed interest rate (i.e., a rate

that is comprised of an adjustable rate index plus the lender’s margin). Piggyback loans

are simultaneous second mortgages that allow borrowers to make little or no down

payment. No- and low-documentation loans allow for less detailed proof of income or 

assets than lenders traditionally require. 

23UBS Mortgage Strategist, 2005—Good or Bad for Vintage Subprime? (Jan. 31, 2006), 33. 

UBS analyzed data from LoanPerformance’s TrueStandings Securities subprime database. 

24Figures are from FHA-provided summaries of information from LoanPerformance’s

TrueStandings subprime database. 

Page 22 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
(TOTAL) scorecard, in 2004. However, in prior work we found that the 

way FHA developed TOTAL may limit the scorecard’s effectiveness.25 To 

the extent that conventional mortgage providers were better able than

FHA to use scoring tools, lower-risk borrowers in FHA’s traditional market 

segment may have migrated toward conventional products, contributing to 

the decline in FHA’s market share. 

A third development was an increase in mortgage originations through 

third parties such as loan correspondents and mortgage brokers, 

particularly in the subprime market.26 This trend has been associated with 

the decline in FHA’s market share because these mortgage originators 

primarily market non-FHA products. According to data reported by the 

trade publication Inside B&C Lending, loan correspondents and mortgage 

brokers increased their share of subprime loan originations from 66 

percent in 2003 to 81 percent in 2005. In contrast, just 27 percent of FHAinsured mortgages in 2005 were originated by loan correspondents and 

mortgage brokers. According to the National Association of Mortgage 

Brokers, many mortgage brokers do not offer FHA products because they 

find the financial and audit requirements for participation in FHA 

programs cost-prohibitive.27

A fourth development in the conventional market was the growth in 

private mortgage securitization (the bundling of mortgage loans into bondlike securities that can be bought and sold on the secondary market), 

particularly for subprime loans. Securitization allowed lenders to sell 

loans from their portfolios, transferring credit risk to investors, and use 

the proceeds to make more loans. According to recent testimony by a 

senior official from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, many 

lenders would not have found subprime mortgages attractive absent the 

 25For additional information on FHA’s scorecard, see GAO, Mortgage Financing: HUD 

Could Realize Additional Benefits from its Mortgage Scorecard, GAO-06-435 (Washington,

D.C.: Apr. 13, 2006). 

26The term loan correspondent originally referred to lenders that originated, underwrote,

and closed loans in their names (usually funding them with short-term lines of credit from

banks) and then immediately sold the loans to other lenders. Today, the term is sometimes 

used synonymously with mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers originate loans for other 

lenders but seldom underwrite or close loans in their own names.

27FHA requires each of its loan correspondent firms (which include mortgage brokers) to

have an annual audited financial statement and retain a minimum $63,000 net worth. 

Page 23 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
funding and credit-risk transfer features available through securitization.28

At the same time, these securities were attractive to different types of 

investors. The combination of higher interest rates and higher risks for 

subprime loans facilitated the division of mortgage securities into risk 

tranches, which offer investors different risk and reward options. 

According to data reported by Inside B&C Lending, from 1999 through 

2005, subprime securitization rates—that is, the dollar amount of 

securitized loans divided by the dollar amount of loan originations—rose 

from less than 40 percent to about 80 percent. In addition, the dollar 

volume of subprime loan securitizations increased from $61 billion in 1999 

to nearly $508 billion in 2005. 

As FHA Lost Market Share, 

Many Subprime Borrowers 

Obtained Loans with High 

Ultimate Costs and Credit 

Characteristics among 

FHA Borrowers Worsened 

As a result of developments in the conventional market, including lower 

interest rates, more homebuyers—especially minority and lower-income 

families—were able to obtain conventional loans, but many of these loans 

had high ultimate costs. As previously discussed, much of the increase in 

mortgages to minorities and lower-income borrowers was due to the 

growth in subprime lending, and many of these loans offered lower initial 

costs through their interest-only features and low introductory interest 

rates. However, these mortgages became more costly as the interest rates 

on many of these loans reset to higher rates, typically 2 to 3 percentage

points higher in a relatively short time period. A common subprime 

mortgage product is a 2/28 hybrid ARM, which features a fixed interest 

rate for 2 years, followed by a series of resets up to a fully indexed 

adjustable rate for the remaining 28 years of the loan.29 Consider the 

example of a borrower who took out a $166,000 2/28 loan in 2003 with an

initial interest rate of 7.5 percent and a first interest rate reset of 2.5 

percentage points. During the first 2 years of the loan, the borrower’s 

monthly payment was $1,161. But after the first interest rate reset, the 

borrower’s monthly payment grew to $1,446, a $285 or 25 percent 

increase.30 Additional resets up to the fully indexed interest rate—which 

 28Testimony from Sandra L. Thompson, Director, Division of Supervision and Consumer

Protection, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, entitled Mortgage Market Turmoil: 

Causes and Consequences, before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs 

U.S. Senate (March 22, 2007). 

29The fully indexed interest rate comprises an adjustable interest rate index, such as the 

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Cost of Funds Index, plus the lender’s margin.

30We based the loan amount and initial interest rate in this example on average values for

subprime loans made in 2003. 

Page 24 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
can be as much as 6 percentage points higher than the initial interest 

rate—would push the borrower’s payments even higher. In contrast to the 

subprime market, the large majority of FHA-insured loans are fixed-rate 

mortgages. For example, fixed-rate loans accounted for 92 percent of FHAinsured mortgages made in 2005. Additionally, for FHA-insured hybrid 

ARMs, the allowable interest rate adjustments after the initial fixed-rate 

period are comparatively lower—1 percentage point for 3-year ARMs and 

2 percentage points for 5-, 7-, and 10-year ARMs.31

Reflecting in part the generally lower credit scores of subprime borrowers, 

subprime mortgages are more likely than prime or FHA loans to be what 

the Federal Reserve has designated “high-priced” loans. HMDA data for 

the 2 most recent years available (2004 and 2005) include an indicator for 

such loans. This indicator is based on a loan’s annual percentage rate

(APR), which represents the cost of credit to the consumer by capturing

the contract interest rate on a loan, the points and fees that a consumer 

pays, and other finance charges such as mortgage insurance premiums. 

Loans with APRs at least 3 percentage points higher than the rate on 

Treasury securities of comparable maturity are considered high-priced. 

Our analysis of 2005 HMDA data indicates that approximately 90 percent 

of the loans we had identified as subprime were high-priced. In contrast, 

less than 2 percent of FHA-insured loans made that year were high-priced.

Highly leveraged and weaker credit borrowers—the typical subprime 

borrowers who have obtained nontraditional mortgage products such as 

hybrid ARMs—are the most vulnerable to payment shocks.32 Although 

borrowers could avoid mortgage resets by refinancing to fixed-rate 

mortgages, many of these borrowers face challenges to refinancing their 

subprime loans. For example, about two-thirds of subprime loans 

originated in 2005 had prepayment penalties—a substantially higher 

proportion than in other market segments. FHA, for instance, does not 

permit prepayment penalties on the loans it insures. Prepayment penalties 

generally last from 2 to 4 years from the mortgage origination date and can

amount to 4 to 5 percent of the original loan amount. They can make it 

expensive to refinance because borrowers must pay the penalty if they

 31FHA does not offer 2-year hybrid ARMs. 

32For additional information about how some nontraditional mortgage products create the

potential for payment shock, see GAO, Alternative Mortgage Products: Impact on Defaults

Remains Unclear, but Disclosure of Risks to Borrowers Could be Improved, GAO-06-1021 

(Washington, D.C.: Sept. 19, 2006). 

Page 25 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
wish to pay off the original loan before the prepayment period expires. In

addition, subprime borrowers who made little or no down payment and 

live in areas that experienced home price depreciation may not have 

sufficient equity to refinance. 

Borrowers who obtained subprime mortgages have experienced relatively 

high rates of default (i.e., more than 90 days past due) and foreclosure 

(i.e., in any stage of the foreclosure process). According to MBA, as of 

December 31, 2006, the cumulative default and foreclosure rates for all 

subprime mortgages were 7.78 and 4.53 percent, respectively. For 

subprime ARMs, the corresponding figures were 9.16 and 5.62 percent. In

comparison, as of the same date, the default and foreclosure rates for 

FHA-insured loans were 5.78 and 2.19 percent, respectively (6.62 and 2.54 

percent for ARMs) and for prime loans, were 0.86 and 0.50, respectively 

(1.45 and 0.92 for ARMs).33

Some mortgage industry researchers predict that subprime default and

foreclosure rates likely will worsen as the loans age; a substantial portion

of these loans have yet to reach the age when loans tend to experience the 

highest rates of default and foreclosure—between 4 and 7 years. 

Furthermore, because most recent subprime loans have adjustable-rate 

features, default and foreclosure rates for ARMs are in particular danger of

increasing as interest rate resets cause monthly mortgage payments on 

these loans to rise. A recent study by the director of research and analytics 

at First American CoreLogic (one of the largest private sector providers of 

mortgage information) illustrates the potential scope of the problem posed 

by ARM resets. The study, which examined 8.37 million ARMs originated 

in 2004 through 2006, estimated that 1.1 million (13 percent) of these loans 

would go into foreclosure as they reset over the next 6 to 7 years.34

Although the subprime and FHA market segments both serve higher-risk 

borrowers, the extent to which subprime borrowers currently at risk of 

 33The default and foreclosure rates for loans reported in the December 31, 2006, MBA

National Delinquency Survey are computed using the total number of loans as the base. 

The rapid growth in subprime loans in the last 2 years has increased the base for the

default and foreclosure rate computations for these loans. All other things being equal, the 

growth in the base would lead to lower default and foreclosure rates. Given that many

subprime loans are relatively new, the cumulative default and foreclosure rates for 

subprime loans are likely to worsen as the newer loans age.

34First American CoreLogic, Inc., Mortgage Payment Reset: The Issue and the Impact 

(Santa Ana, Calif.: Mar. 19, 2007). 

Page 26 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
default would have qualified for FHA-insured loans is not known. Such a 

determination would require analysis of detailed, loan-level data for 

subprime mortgages. Recently, a number of proposals have been made to

help subprime borrowers at risk of foreclosure refinance into lower-cost 

fixed rate mortgages. For example, in April 2007, Freddie Mac announced 

plans to purchase $20 billion in mortgages that would refinance troubled 

subprime loans. Fannie Mae announced a similar initiative that same 

month. 

Certain factors associated with FHA’s decline in market share also 

contributed to a worsening in indicators of credit risk among FHA 

borrowers. More specifically, as conventional lenders expanded their 

presence in traditional FHA submarkets through the development of new 

products and use of automated underwriting tools, FHA experienced 

adverse selection—that is, conventional providers identified and approved

relatively lower-risk borrowers, leaving relatively higher-risk borrowers 

for FHA. According to analysis by FHA, FHA’s loan portfolio is becoming 

riskier in terms of the proportions of loans with high LTV, payment-toincome, and debt-to-income ratios.35 (Lenders use these ratios to assess the 

creditworthiness of borrowers.) For instance, FHA’s analysis indicated 

that the proportion of loans with effective LTV ratios over 97 percent rose

from about 40 percent in 1999 to almost 60 percent in 2005. The higher the 

LTV ratio, the less equity borrowers have in their homes and the more 

likely it is that they may default on mortgage obligations. As we reported 

in November 2005, the substantial portion of FHA-insured loans with 

down-payment assistance do not perform as well as loans without such 

assistance, due partly to homebuyers having less equity in the

transaction.36 The changes in borrower characteristics have contributed to 

a decline in FHA’s financial performance. In recent years, the credit 

subsidy rate for FHA’s single-family mortgage insurance program has 

approached zero (the point at which estimated cash outflows equal 

estimated cash inflows). Furthermore, FHA has estimated that, absent 

program changes, the program for the first time would require a positive

subsidy (i.e., appropriations) in fiscal year 2008. Therefore, it has been 

 35The payment-to-income ratio is a borrower’s expected monthly housing expenses as a 

percentage of monthly income. The debt-to-income ratio is a borrower’s expected monthly 

expenses on housing and other long-term debt as a percentage of monthly income. 

36GAO, Mortgage Financing: Additional Actions Needed to Manage Risks of FHA-insured

Loans with Down Payment Assistance, GAO-06-24 (Washington, D.C.: Nov. 9, 2005). 

Page 27 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
changes in the credit quality, rather than the volume, of loans FHA insures 

that have had the most significant implications for FHA. 

Our analysis shows that in 2005 FHA was a much smaller part of the 

market for home purchase mortgages than it was just a few years earlier. 

Given FHA’s history of serving minority and lower-income homebuyers, 

the agency’s sharp drop-off in market share among these populations is 

particularly notable. Furthermore, the growth in low- and no-downpayment mortgages offered by conventional lenders has made FHA’s 

product offerings less distinct. These trends raise questions about FHA’s 

ability to fulfill its traditional role and operate successfully in a changing 

and competitive mortgage market. However, consistent with FHA’s 

mission, substantial proportions of recent FHA borrowers are minorities 

and lower-income families, including many first-time homebuyers. 

Additionally, in the event of an economic downturn, FHA could help 

ensure the flow of mortgage credit to areas that private sector market 

participants may be reluctant to serve. Furthermore, recent developments 

in the subprime market may result in an increase in FHA’s role in the 

mortgage market. For example, relatively high default and foreclosure 

rates for subprime mortgages and a contraction of this market segment 

could shift market share to FHA. The extent to which this occurs will 

depend partly on the efforts of conventional mortgage providers, including

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, to provide alternatives to subprime 

borrowers. As our report noted, the GSEs have played a larger role among 

traditional FHA homebuyers and recently have proposed steps that would 

provide additional mortgage choices to many borrowers who obtained 

subprime loans. 

Observations 

Although further analysis would be required to determine how many 

subprime borrowers at risk of default would qualify for FHA-insured 

mortgages, FHA could be a vehicle to provide lower-priced and more 

sustainable mortgage options for some borrowers who are considering or

struggling to maintain higher-priced subprime loans. FHA’s recent efforts 

to modernize its products and processes might facilitate any expansion of 

the agency’s role by increasing its operational efficiency and flexibility. 

However, attracting subprime borrowers to FHA could also have costs, as 

some of these borrowers may pose relatively high insurance risks. Careful 

assessment and management of these risks would be necessary to avoid 

exacerbating problems in the financial performance of FHA’s insurance 

program. 

Page 28 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
We provided HUD with a draft of this report. HUD provided comments in a 

letter from the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing 

Commissioner (see app. IV). HUD stated that we produced a 

straightforward, well-researched report on the reasons for the recent 

decline in FHA’s market share. 

HUD also provided observations about the homebuyers FHA serves and 

the shift of some traditional FHA borrowers to subprime mortgage

products that have the potential to become more costly. Additionally, HUD 

noted that additional flexibility, new mortgage insurance products, and 

risk-based pricing would help FHA to continue providing lower-income 

and minority households with homeownership opportunities at lower risk 

to themselves and with manageable risk to FHA’s insurance fund. 

We are sending copies of this report to the Chairman, Senate Committee 

on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Chairman and Ranking Member, 

Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation, Senate Committee on 

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Chairman and Ranking Member, 

House Committee on Financial Services; and Chairman and Ranking 

Member, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, House 

Committee on Financial Services. We will also send copies to the 

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and to other interested 

parties and make copies available to others upon request. In addition, the 

report will be made available at no charge on the GAO Web site at 

http://www.gao.gov. 

Agency Comments 

and Our Evaluation 

Please contact me at (202) 512-8678 or shearw@gao.gov if you or your staff 

have any questions about this report. Contact points for our Offices of 

Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page 

of this report. Key contributors to this report are listed in appendix V. 

William B. Shear 

Director, Financial Markets and 

 Community Investment 

Page 29 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix I: 

Methodology 

Objectives, Scope, and 

Page 30 GAO-07-645

Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and 

Methodology 

Our objectives were to determine (1) trends in the Federal Housing 

Administration’s (FHA) share of the market for home purchase mortgages 

and selected submarkets from 1996 through 2005, and how they compared

with the trends for the prime, subprime, and government-sponsored 

enterprises (GSE) market segments; and (2) the major factors associated 

with the trends in FHA’s market share and the potential implications of 

these trends for homebuyers and FHA. To supplement this analysis, we 

also developed information on the borrower and loan characteristics of 

FHA-insured mortgages and mortgages in the prime and subprime market 

segments from 1996 through 2005 (see app. III). 

Analysis of Market Share 

Trends 

To analyze trends in the overall market for home purchase mortgages, we

compiled and analyzed loan data for 1996 through 2005 collected under the 

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).1

 HMDA data are compiled and 

published by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 

(FFIEC).2

 HMDA requires lending institutions to collect and publicly 

disclose information about housing loans and applications for such loans. 

This information includes, among other things, the market participant or

segment (conventional, FHA, Veterans Administration (VA), Rural Housing 

Service (RHS), GSE), loan amount, property type, census tract and certain 

tract characteristics, and loan applicant characteristics such as race, 

gender, and income. HMDA data capture about 80 percent of the mortgage 

loans funded each year, according to estimates by the Federal Reserve, 

and are one of the most comprehensive source of information on mortgage 

lending. In general, we limited our analysis to home purchase loans 

originated for owner-occupied, one-to-four family and manufactured 

homes. To the extent possible, we identified piggyback loans (i.e., the 

junior lien in a pair of loans used to finance the same property) using a 

data-matching process based on an algorithm developed by the Federal 

 1

HMDA requires lending institutions to collect and publicly disclose information about

housing loans and applications for such loans, including the loan type and amount, 

property type, and borrower characteristics (such as ethnicity, race, sex, and income).

These data are the most comprehensive source of information on mortgage lending. 

2

FFIEC is a formal interagency body empowered to prescribe uniform principles,

standards, and report forms for the federal examination of financial institutions by the

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance 

Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the 

Currency, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and to make recommendations to

promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions. 

FHA Market Share
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and 

Methodology 

Reserve and excluded these loans from our analysis.3 As a result, our 

analysis focuses on first liens only. Because the HMDA data do not contain 

an indicator for subprime loans, we identified subprime loans by merging 

the data with a list—maintained by the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development (HUD)—of lenders that specialize in subprime lending. 

HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research compiles this list 

annually by analyzing HMDA data (e.g., lenders with lower origination 

rates and a large share of refinance loans are more likely to be subprime 

lenders) and contacting lenders directly. We designated conventional 

loans that were not attributable to subprime lenders as prime loans. 

However, because subprime specialists may originate some prime loans 

and nonsubprime specialists may originate some subprime loans, any 

analysis that uses this list will misclassify mortgages to some extent. 

Finally, HMDA data do not capture all of the loans purchased by the GSEs. 

According to GSE and Federal Reserve officials, HMDA data do not 

capture all of the loans the GSEs purchase, including (1) many loans 

initially sold to intermediaries (e.g., bank affiliates) and subsequently to 

the GSEs and (2) loans originated and purchased in different years. While

we acknowledge these limitations, we used HMDA data to evaluate longterm market share trends rather than to provide precise annual figures for 

each market segment, including the GSE segment. According to Freddie 

Mac, Fannie Mae, and Federal Reserve officials, our use of HMDA data 

was appropriate for this purpose. Our analysis should be interpreted with 

these limitations in mind. 

To analyze trends in various submarkets, we incorporated additional data

from FHA, the Census Bureau, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise 

Oversight (OFHEO), and TransUnion (one of the three main consumer 

credit reporting agencies). More specifically, from FHA we obtained 

annual nationwide data on FHA’s loan limits for single-family properties. 

From the 2000 Decennial Census, we obtained information on the median 

house price for each census tract. From OFHEO, we obtained their annual

house price appreciation index for all metropolitan statistical areas. 

Finally, from TransUnion, we obtained median credit scores for mortgage 

borrowers in each census tract nationwide as of December 31, 2004. We

analyzed a number of submarkets defined by borrower race, borrower 

income, loan amount relative to FHA’s loan limits, income and minority 

 3

More specifically, we identified pairs of loans with identical characteristics, including

lender; property location; loan purpose; and applicant race, gender, and income. For each

matched pair of loans, we designated (within certain parameters) the loan with the smaller 

dollar value as the piggyback loan. 

Page 31 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and 

Methodology 

composition of the census tract in which the property was located, and 

whether the property was owner-occupied. We defined borrower race 

based on categories in the HMDA data. Prior to 2004, HMDA data included

Hispanic as a race category but beginning in 2004 also included Hispanic 

as an ethnicity variable. For 2004 and 2005, we classified borrowers of 

Hispanic ethnicity as Hispanic race. We created borrower income 

categories using median family incomes calculated by HUD each year for 

metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. We defined borrowers with 

incomes of less than 80 percent of the area median income as low income, 

those with incomes of at least 80 percent but less than 120 percent of the 

area median as moderate income, and those with incomes of at least 120 

percent of area median as upper income. Finally, we determined the FHAeligible submarket by identifying loans with dollar amounts that fell within

the relevant FHA loan limit. 

For our analysis of census tract groupings, we limited our examination to 

census tracts where FHA’s market share averaged at least 5 percent from

1996 through 1998. (We took this approach because our analysis examined 

changes in FHA’s market share during a 10-year period when the trend in 

FHA’s share was downward.) Therefore, our analysis excluded census 

tracts where FHA’s market share started and ended the period at zero and 

census tracts where FHA’s market share was sporadic and on average very 

small near the beginning of the period. We used Census Bureau files 

relating 1990 census tract definitions to 2000 census tract definitions to 

provide consistent geographic areas over the time period of our analysis. 

The large majority of the census tracts were the same in both 1990 and 

2000. In many cases, however, 1990 census tracts were split into more than 

one 2000 census tract. In those cases, we aggregated the affected 2000 

census tracts to the corresponding 1990 tract definitions and used the 1990 

tracts as the unit of analysis for the entire 1996 through 2005 period. In 

other cases, two or more 1990 census tracts were combined to form one 

2000 census tract. In those instances, we aggregated the affected 1990 

tracts that corresponded to the 2000 tract definitions and used the 2000 

tracts as the unit of analysis over the entire period. 

We grouped the census tracts according to the percentage of the 

population that was minority, median income, median credit score, and 

median home price in relation to FHA loan limits. We defined low-, 

medium-, and high-minority census tracts as those with minority 

populations of less than 20 percent, 20 to 49 percent, and more than 50 

percent, respectively. We defined low-, moderate-, and upper-income 

census tracts as those with median incomes that were less than 80 

percent, at least 80 percent but less than 120 percent, and 120 percent and

Page 32 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and 

Methodology 

above, respectively, of the median income for the associated metropolitan 

statistical area. We also grouped census tracts based on the TransUnion 

median credit score for mortgage borrowers as of December 31, 2004. We

categorized census tracts into three groups: those with median credit 

scores in the bottom quarter of the credit score distribution for all census 

tracts included in our analysis, those with median scores between the 

bottom and top quarter, and those with median scores in the top quarter. 

Finally, we created three census tract groupings based on whether the 

median home price was below 75 percent of the applicable FHA loan limit 

each year, 75 to 125 percent of the FHA limit each year, or below 75 

percent of the loan limit at the beginning of the 10-year period but at or 

above 75 percent of the limit later in the period. 

We assessed the reliability of the data we used by reviewing existing 

information about the quality of the data, performing electronic data 

testing to detect errors in completeness and reasonableness, and 

interviewing Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, and Federal Reserve officials 

knowledgeable about the data. We determined that the data were 

sufficiently reliable for the purposes of this report. 

Analysis of Factors 

Associated with the Trends 

in FHA’s Market Share and 

the Implications of These 

Trends 

To analyze factors associated with the trends in FHA’s market share and 

the implications of these trends, we used information from: the analysis 

described in the previous section, HMDA data, HUD’s Single-Family Data 

Warehouse (SFDW), summary statistics provided by FHA and contained in

prior studies from databases maintained by LoanPerformance, the 

Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey for 

the fourth quarter of 2006, and other published industry data. In order to 

assess the reliability of the data we used, we reviewed related 

documentation and interviewed officials familiar with the data. In 

addition, for the HMDA and SFDW data, we performed internal checks to 

determine the extent to which the data fields were populated and the 

reasonableness of the values contained in the fields. We concluded that 

the data were sufficiently reliable for the purposes of this report. We also 

reviewed relevant academic literature and government and industry 

studies, including internal FHA analysis of SFDW data. 

In addition to our data analysis, we interviewed representatives of four 

FHA lenders (Countrywide Financial, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and 

Lenders One—a mortgage cooperative representing 87 independent 

mortgage bankers). We also interviewed officials from Fannie Mae, 

Freddie Mac, and four private mortgage insurance companies—AIG 

United Guaranty, Genworth Financial, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance 

Page 33 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and 

Methodology 

Corporation, and PMI Mortgage Insurance Company. Additionally, we 

interviewed representatives of six mortgage and real estate industry 

groups—MBA, National Association of Realtors, Mortgage Insurance 

Companies of America, National Association of Home Builders, National 

Association of Mortgage Brokers, and American Financial Services 

Association. We also spoke with representatives of the following 

consumer advocacy groups: Center for Responsible Lending, Consumer 

Action, Consumer Federation of America, National Association of 

Consumer Advocates, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, 

National Consumer Law Center, and National Council of La Raza. Finally, 

we interviewed officials from FHA and HUD’s Office of Policy 

Development and Research. 

Analysis of Borrower and 

Loan Characteristics 

To determine the percentages of FHA, prime, and subprime home 

purchase loans with certain borrower and loan characteristics each year

from 1996 through 2005, we analyzed information from HMDA data, 

SFDW, the Federal Housing Finance Board, and summary 

LoanPerformance data. The borrower and loan characteristics were race, 

income, loan type (fixed or adjustable rate), and presence of prepayment 

penalty. We also determined the average interest rate at mortgage

origination, loan amount, and median credit score for FHA-insured loans 

and loans in the other market segments. In order to assess the reliability of 

the data we used, we reviewed existing information about the data quality 

and discussed the data with knowledgeable officials to ensure that we 

interpreted the information correctly. For the HMDA and SFDW data, we 

also performed electronic testing to assess the reasonableness and 

completeness of the information. We concluded that the data were 

sufficiently reliable for the purposes of our report. 

We conducted this work in Washington, D.C. from September 2006 

through May 2007 in accordance with generally accepted government 

auditing standards. 

Page 34 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected Appendix II: Data on Market Share T Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 rends in 

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

This appendix contains the results of our analysis using Home Mortgage 

Disclosure Act (HMDA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) data 

for calendar years 1996 through 2005. Tables 1 through 3 provide 

information on home purchase mortgages. More specifically, table 1 

contains market shares for FHA and other market participants and 

segments over the 10-year period. Table 2 contains FHA market shares and 

numbers of mortgages in each state. Table 3 contains market shares in 

selected submarkets for FHA and other market participants and segments. 

Table 4 provides market shares for home purchase and refinance loans 

combined. Finally, table 5 provides market shares for refinance loans. 

Table 1: Market Shares for Home Purchase Loans, 1996-2005 

Market shares

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Prime 73.2% 71.8% 72.8% 71.5% 71.2% 71.1% 73.0% 74.0% 75.7% 76.4%

Subprime 1.6 2.6 3.7 4.5 5.9 5.0 6.6 9.3 12.0 14.5

FHA 18.8 19.6 17.6 19.0 18.6 19.3 16.5 13.1 9.2 6.3

VA 6.0 5.4 5.3 4.5 3.9 4.2 3.6 3.1 2.6 2.4

RHS 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4

GSE 26.8 26.6 32.6 29.2 30.1 35.1 39.3 38.2 35.1 30.4

Number of loans 

Prime 2,270,445 2,338,558 2,793,403 2,914,713 2,825,668 2,852,557 2,928,394 3,174,378 3,400,642 3,557,981

Subprime 48,778 85,721 143,395 181,779 235,044 199,875 265,000 397,833 540,352 675,389

FHA 582,781 637,354 675,737 774,259 737,914 776,380 660,726 561,582 413,754 294,777

VA 187,424 176,768 201,973 183,875 156,767 168,365 142,673 134,759 117,961 109,873

RHS 13,122 16,804 21,961 19,716 14,304 16,906 16,600 21,773 19,696 18,471

GSE 831,869 865,428 1,250,629 1,188,913 1,193,653 1,408,297 1,576,259 1,639,462 1,577,474 1,415,366

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data. 

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. The prime, subprime, FHA, VA, and RHS market shares add to 100 percent (figures 

used in this table were rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent). The GSE market segment is 

primarily a subset of the prime market segment. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated 

and purchased in different years or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by

the GSEs. 

Page 35 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

Table 2: State-by-State FHA Market Shares and Loan Counts for Home Purchase Loans, 1996-2005 

State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Market shares

Alabama 12.8% 12.6% 11.9% 13.9% 16.8% 19.7% 19.2% 16.3% 13.0% 10.4%

Alaska 27.5 37.0 31.0 30.6 29.0 29.2 27.6 24.7 20.5 14.1

Arizona 22.3 22.1 20.1 21.7 22.6 23.1 20.5 15.8 8.6 2.8

Arkansas 22.9 22.4 19.4 20.3 20.5 23.9 22.9 20.8 16.1 13.4

California 23.9 24.1 21.8 21.5 18.8 16.8 11.0 6.1 1.9 0.6

Colorado 25.5 27.0 22.2 25.3 24.1 24.7 26.7 24.1 15.5 8.9

Connecticut 19.1 19.2 17.9 18.8 19.0 19.1 15.1 12.2 9.3 7.3

Delaware 16.3 17.2 18.7 17.0 18.4 20.0 16.5 11.8 8.3 5.5

District of 

Columbia 24.3 22.3 21.9 22.1 20.7 17.3 12.6 6.8 4.3 0.9

Florida 16.0 17.9 17.5 17.7 17.0 16.7 12.7 9.8 6.2 3.2

Georgia 17.5 18.4 15.8 21.1 21.0 23.4 22.2 18.2 14.6 10.7

Hawaii 9.1 13.1 12.6 12.9 9.0 7.3 5.2 3.3 1.3 1.2

Idaho 25.3 23.5 21.5 23.9 23.4 25.8 22.4 20.0 13.5 8.8

Illinois 17.8 19.9 15.6 18.6 16.8 17.6 15.5 12.2 7.9 4.9

Indiana 18.7 21.1 18.4 20.0 21.9 27.6 24.3 21.3 17.0 13.6

Iowa 11.6 13.8 13.0 13.5 12.7 14.4 11.5 9.8 7.9 6.3

Kansas 15.2 15.1 14.8 16.3 15.9 18.0 16.5 14.1 12.1 9.7

Kentucky 14.8 14.6 13.9 15.1 15.9 17.6 17.1 15.3 12.5 9.9

Louisiana 19.0 18.5 18.9 21.5 21.4 22.4 20.0 15.6 13.1 9.4

Maine 20.5 20.9 18.2 18.4 15.8 15.0 12.9 7.0 7.5 5.3

Maryland 33.7 35.6 34.1 32.7 31.6 30.4 25.5 16.6 9.5 3.4

Massachusetts 9.8 12.1 10.0 11.0 10.8 10.6 8.1 5.8 3.0 1.6

Michigan 15.3 18.0 15.2 17.0 16.4 18.0 16.4 12.8 10.0 7.5

Minnesota 26.5 24.7 18.1 19.0 17.2 18.1 15.4 11.9 8.4 6.1

Mississippi 21.8 18.6 16.4 15.5 18.0 22.9 21.2 18.0 13.9 12.1

Missouri 21.5 20.7 18.2 19.6 19.7 20.7 18.2 14.4 11.6 9.0

Montana 22.1 20.2 18.0 18.2 20.2 23.7 22.1 18.5 16.8 12.5

Nebraska 21.4 25.4 23.5 25.8 26.7 25.8 25.1 19.1 13.0 10.6

Nevada 25.7 27.8 22.8 27.2 23.6 20.2 18.1 13.1 5.0 2.4

New Hampshire 20.7 20.6 17.9 16.1 14.7 13.7 10.1 7.6 3.7 2.2

New Jersey 16.4 17.6 16.0 17.9 17.1 16.0 12.2 10.1 6.1 3.7

New Mexico 15.0 14.9 14.2 18.4 19.8 23.9 24.5 20.5 15.9 11.3

New York 16.3 16.8 16.1 16.2 15.2 14.8 11.6 9.6 6.5 5.2

North Carolina 12.3 12.9 10.5 13.0 15.1 17.3 16.3 13.3 10.7 8.4

Page 36 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

North Dakota 25.7 26.6 28.8 27.4 23.8 27.6 22.1 18.5 18.2 15.9

Ohio 14.8 17.4 16.1 17.5 18.6 20.4 17.7 14.7 11.8 9.5

Oklahoma 25.4 24.2 25.3 25.4 22.9 25.4 23.4 22.1 17.2 14.8

Oregon 12.7 12.5 10.3 13.9 15.1 17.1 14.3 11.3 6.4 3.3

Pennsylvania 15.1 16.8 15.6 16.1 16.2 17.5 14.1 10.6 7.9 5.9

Rhode Island 21.7 25.1 22.5 24.4 23.5 22.7 17.3 13.1 7.7 3.4

South Carolina 8.4 8.3 6.0 8.2 10.0 11.3 10.3 8.8 7.7 5.6

South Dakota 20.4 21.0 19.5 19.2 17.6 18.4 17.4 17.1 13.5 8.7

Tennessee 25.6 24.0 21.5 22.5 21.5 24.7 21.9 18.8 13.9 10.2

Texas 20.9 21.1 20.5 21.7 20.9 22.8 22.3 20.4 18.0 13.3

Utah 27.3 27.4 22.0 26.5 29.9 33.0 29.6 26.3 19.3 12.2

Vermont 4.6 8.1 7.2 7.3 7.6 8.2 5.6 4.9 3.4 2.2

Virginia 24.7 24.0 21.9 22.7 22.8 22.0 17.8 13.1 7.4 4.4

Washington 17.2 16.6 12.4 15.5 15.6 17.9 15.6 12.6 7.6 4.1

West Virginia 9.2 7.5 8.1 9.2 10.3 12.3 12.1 8.7 7.3 6.5

Wisconsin 5.1 6.6 5.6 6.8 7.0 8.6 7.4 6.1 4.9 4.3

Wyoming 22.0 22.2 18.2 20.1 18.0 18.0 15.1 12.2 10.3 7.8

Number of loans 

State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Alabama 6,321 6,976 7,358 8,892 9,682 10,444 9,504 9,122 7,731 6,602

Alaska 1,380 2,092 2,111 1,819 1,805 2,043 2,007 2,102 2,246 1,567

Arizona 18,510 18,091 20,041 23,248 23,051 25,711 22,984 19,509 11,942 4,213

Arkansas 5,115 5,638 5,297 6,065 5,960 7,117 6,310 6,354 5,225 4,629

California 77,824 89,847 96,097 104,377 92,884 80,582 58,350 33,652 10,786 3,226

Colorado 19,302 20,986 21,691 26,302 25,603 25,672 25,527 23,320 15,587 9,222

Connecticut 7,433 7,717 8,827 10,189 9,494 9,794 7,923 6,397 5,153 3,970

Delaware 1,576 1,850 2,364 2,221 2,297 2,433 2,064 1,508 1,114 804

District of 

Columbia 

1,078 1,194 1,565 1,799 1,673 1,385 1,013 579 411 86

Florida 35,857 41,886 49,058 53,671 51,341 52,985 40,258 33,967 22,818 12,703

Georgia 18,095 20,908 21,269 30,766 27,943 31,741 28,307 26,148 22,582 17,705

Hawaii 547 891 993 1,187 879 673 619 494 190 171

Idaho 3,456 3,795 4,226 4,997 4,659 5,377 4,541 4,831 3,570 2,733

Illinois 26,411 28,586 25,976 34,091 30,830 32,595 28,867 24,257 16,281 10,367

Indiana 13,508 15,265 15,179 17,886 18,993 24,199 20,549 19,154 15,835 13,024

Iowa 2,900 3,763 4,027 4,287 3,808 4,570 3,622 3,391 2,884 2,452

Kansas 4,094 4,446 5,136 6,067 5,304 6,327 5,440 5,008 4,501 3,838

Page 37 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Kentucky 5,200 5,714 6,411 6,940 7,041 7,723 7,107 7,435 6,205 5,131

Louisiana 7,799 7,578 9,249 10,195 9,469 9,670 8,655 7,488 6,433 4,871

Maine 1,742 2,198 2,311 2,458 2,001 1,878 1,631 782 1,188 827

Maryland 21,739 24,431 27,897 28,920 28,269 29,088 24,441 16,135 9,799 3,444

Massachusetts 6,977 8,931 8,404 9,676 8,713 8,481 6,418 4,754 2,804 1,387

Michigan 20,381 20,956 22,149 26,331 24,120 25,320 22,341 18,291 14,356 10,212

Minnesota 17,164 15,323 14,595 15,606 13,848 15,169 13,084 10,685 7,203 5,174

Mississippi 5,049 5,100 5,168 4,809 5,215 6,153 5,261 5,065 4,080 3,690

Missouri 14,228 13,840 13,974 15,472 15,035 15,907 13,254 11,592 10,119 8,224

Montana 1,253 1,464 1,587 1,666 1,694 2,071 1,961 1,824 1,866 1,399

Nebraska 2,983 3,765 4,197 4,572 4,745 4,389 4,624 3,918 2,762 2,238

Nevada 8,974 9,938 8,989 11,988 10,601 9,780 8,759 7,581 3,150 1,602

New Hampshire 2,511 2,912 3,044 2,901 2,636 2,328 1,688 1,264 731 429

New Jersey 14,661 16,137 17,393 21,025 19,046 17,702 13,944 12,283 7,623 4,585

New Mexico 3,018 3,086 3,271 4,008 4,079 5,316 5,701 5,194 4,270 3,084

New York 20,500 22,090 24,313 26,064 23,589 23,055 18,735 16,360 11,670 9,241

North Carolina 12,802 14,620 13,420 17,822 18,476 20,646 17,945 16,005 13,933 12,040

North Dakota 1,260 1,394 1,853 1,628 1,248 1,531 1,315 1,252 1,331 1,257

Ohio 20,332 23,584 25,098 27,867 28,442 31,935 27,317 24,047 19,059 15,552

Oklahoma 8,611 8,712 10,864 11,274 9,403 10,308 9,205 9,232 7,554 7,046

Oregon 4,869 5,685 5,569 7,213 7,353 8,794 7,338 6,311 3,747 2,211

Pennsylvania 17,466 19,698 20,623 22,761 22,384 24,285 19,799 15,820 11,812 9,266

Rhode Island 2,104 2,494 2,705 3,315 3,069 3,085 2,466 1,743 1,086 481

South Carolina 4,338 4,368 3,610 5,058 5,538 6,081 5,189 5,105 4,793 3,733

South Dakota 1,249 1,467 1,632 1,619 1,416 1,553 1,400 1,456 1,290 888

Tennessee 18,026 17,125 17,163 18,547 17,554 19,305 16,283 15,291 12,623 10,088

Texas 47,836 49,485 58,722 66,753 66,412 73,528 69,465 64,823 58,715 45,779

Utah 8,348 8,313 7,119 9,230 10,074 11,281 9,782 10,034 8,538 6,501

Vermont 176 355 373 425 436 488 289 280 218 145

Virginia 21,282 22,184 24,346 27,480 27,966 29,486 23,927 18,576 11,300 6,496

Washington 11,843 14,672 12,553 15,840 15,030 17,740 15,726 14,553 8,995 5,298

West Virginia 983 922 1,150 1,292 1,466 1,821 1,736 1,338 1,273 1,188

Wisconsin 2,774 3,741 3,642 4,487 4,425 5,847 5,233 4,526 3,659 3,347

Wyoming 896 1,141 1,128 1,153 915 988 822 746 713 611

Total 582,781 637,354 675,737 774,259 737,914 776,380 660,726 561,582 413,754 294,777

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data. 

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans.

Page 38 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

Table 3: Market Shares for Home Purchase Loans in Selected Submarkets, 1996-2005 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Minority borrowers 

Market shares

Prime 58.6% 56.1% 56.5% 55.9% 56.5% 57.1% 60.2% 62.1% 63.8% 64.7%

Subprime 2.0 3.5 5.4 6.8 8.2 7.2 10.5 16.1 22.1 26.0

FHA 31.6 33.5 31.4 32.0 31.0 31.1 25.3 18.4 11.3 6.9

VA 7.5 6.5 6.2 5.0 4.2 4.4 3.7 3.2 2.6 2.3

RHS 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

GSE 21.0 19.8 23.3 20.8 22.5 25.7 31.7 31.1 25.5 20.3

Number of loans 

Prime 360,310 364,069 415,696 475,415 486,901 479,712 545,749 627,808 575,271 753,007

Subprime 12,259 23,003 40,079 57,711 70,455 60,502 95,162 162,540 199,081 302,296

FHA 193,975 217,379 231,473 272,433 266,912 261,088 229,657 185,532 101,724 80,038

VA 46,008 42,204 45,784 42,716 35,991 36,832 33,875 31,969 23,097 26,254

RHS 2,213 2,552 3,149 2,681 1,982 2,261 2,485 2,943 1,880 2,046

GSE 129,130 128,841 171,718 176,680 193,784 216,195 287,896 314,573 229,635 236,521

Lower-income borrowers 

Market Shares

Prime 65.0% 62.9% 64.4% 63.0% 62.4% 62.3% 65.5% 67.6% 70.1% 71.7%

Subprime 1.4 2.5 3.9 5.0 6.7 5.3 6.8 9.4 12.7 15.0

FHA 26.0 27.5 24.7 26.0 25.7 27.1 23.1 18.6 13.4 9.8

VA 6.9 6.3 6.0 5.2 4.5 4.7 4.0 3.6 3.1 2.9

RHS 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.7

GSE 23.8 23.4 28.9 26.7 28.2 32.2 38.4 38.5 35.9 31.9

Number of loans 

Prime 1,185,411 1,210,961 1,469,715 1,569,101 1,486,038 1,498,980 1,592,975 1,749,681 1,868,304 1,828,021

Subprime 25,490 47,337 87,860 125,000 160,032 126,461 165,128 243,937 338,614 382,837

FHA 474,582 528,562 564,317 647,179 612,534 651,833 561,894 480,480 356,448 248,863

VA 125,811 120,664 137,619 128,740 107,526 113,866 96,576 92,749 82,616 73,229

RHS 12,576 16,207 21,208 18,836 13,595 15,657 14,896 20,301 18,484 17,208

GSE 433,235 451,031 659,117 664,874 670,876 774,874 932,713 996,578 955,888 812,593

FHA-eligible loans 

Market shares

Prime 66.9% 65.2% 66.7% 65.4% 64.9% 65.2% 67.7% 68.8% 71.0% 72.5%

Subprime 1.4 2.6 4.0 5.1 7.0 5.4 7.0 9.6 12.7 15.2

FHA 25.4 26.2 23.3 24.3 23.6 24.4 21.1 17.7 12.8 9.2

Page 39 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

VA 5.7 5.2 5.2 4.6 4.0 4.4 3.7 3.2 2.9 2.5

RHS 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.6

GSE 24.0 24.0 29.5 27.0 28.4 33.4 39.0 38.5 37.4 32.8

Number of loans 

Prime 1,428,428 1,522,418 1,872,251 1,977,376 1,870,710 2,038,154 2,082,838 2,093,435 2,228,157 2,260,564

Subprime 30,685 60,067 112,755 152,900 201,604 170,390 214,870 293,109 397,608 475,661

FHA 541,744 612,373 653,048 736,229 680,059 763,584 649,852 537,877 402,342 286,470

VA 122,170 121,717 146,434 138,893 115,075 138,048 113,959 97,958 90,380 79,195

RHS 12,685 16,633 21,761 19,169 13,874 16,620 16,389 21,109 19,151 17,835

GSE 512,969 560,485 826,462 817,983 819,521 1,042,809 1,201,354 1,171,130 1,173,893 1,023,192

Investor properties 

Market shares

Prime 94.3% 94.6% 93.7% 94.9% 95.4% 94.3% 95.5% 92.8% 90.9% 90.4%

Subprime 2.6 4.4 5.7 4.7 4.0 3.7 4.4 7.1 9.1 9.5

FHA 2.8 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

VA 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

RHS 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

GSE 19.1 21.6 26.7 28.1 34.8 40.0 45.9 41.3 34.2 29.2

Number of loans 

Prime 369,504 446,786 522,788 595,192 638,724 698,132 845,224 1,033,234 1,355,352 1,647,122

Subprime 10,128 20,922 31,730 29,176 26,806 27,420 38,740 79,040 135,134 173,424

FHA 10,914 3,324 2,704 2,402 2,876 10,378 618 936 394 230

VA 1,264 1,302 760 588 958 3,946 402 324 188 192

RHS 104 70 134 76 108 66 66 54 68 72

GSE 74,788 102,140 149,234 176,248 233,034 295,728 406,028 459,400 510,338 532,204

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA and HUD data. 

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. The prime, subprime, FHA, VA, and RHS market shares add to 100 percent (figures 

used in this table were rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent). The GSE market segment is 

primarily a subset of the prime market segment. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated 

and purchased in different years or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by

the GSEs. 

Page 40 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix II: Data on Market Share Trends in

the Mortgage Market and Selected 

Submarkets from 1996 through 2005 

Table 4: Market Shares for Home Purchase and Refinance Loans, 1996-2005 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Prime 78.0% 74.4% 80.1% 75.2% 71.8% 81.4% 83.7% 84.5% 75.8% 76.6%

Subprime 5.4 9.3 8.4 10.9 12.4 7.9 8.5 9.8 18.0 18.5

FHA 12.3 12.5 8.5 11.0 12.9 8.7 6.3 4.4 4.7 3.5

VA 4.0 3.5 2.7 2.6 2.7 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.2

RHS 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

GSE 28.9 27.0 38.4 31.1 26.9 40.3 46.0 49.9 36.1 30.1

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data. 

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. The prime, subprime, FHA, VA, and RHS market shares add to 100 percent. 

(figures used in this table were rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent). The GSE market segment 

is primarily a subset of the prime market segment. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated 

and purchased in different years or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by

the GSEs. 

Table 5: Market Shares for Refinance Loans, 1996-2005

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Prime 85.7% 78.3% 85.4% 79.5% 73.1% 87.9% 88.8% 88.2% 75.8% 76.8%

Subprime 11.4 19.2 11.8 18.2 25.0 9.7 9.4 10.0 22.6 22.0

FHA 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.7 2.0 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.0

VA 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2

RHS 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

GSE 32.2 27.5 42.5 33.4 20.8 43.5 49.3 54.1 36.9 29.9

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data. 

Note: We calculated market shares based on numbers of loans and, to the extent possible, excluded 

piggyback loans. The prime, subprime, FHA, VA, and RHS market shares add to 100 percent (figures 

used in this table were rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent). The GSE market segment is 

primarily a subset of the prime market segment. Data for the GSEs do not include loans originated 

and purchased in different years or all of the loans sold to intermediaries before being purchased by

the GSEs. 

Page 41 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix III: Data on Selected Borrower and 

Loan Characteristics for FHA, Prime, and Appendix III: Data on Selected Borrower and Subprime Loans, 1996 through 2005 

Loan Characteristics for FHA, Prime, and 

Subprime Loans, 1996 through 2005 

This appendix contains the results of our analysis of Home Mortgage 

Disclosure Act (HMDA) and Single-Family Data Warehouse (SFDW) data, 

information from the Federal Housing Finance Board, and summary 

LoanPerformance data. Specifically, tables 6, 7, and 8 contain information 

on selected borrower and loan characteristics for Federal Housing 

Administration (FHA)-insured, prime, and subprime loans. For prime and 

subprime loans, data were not available from the sources we used for the 

entire period we examined (1996 through 2005).

Table 6: Selected FHA Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 1996-2005

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage of 

loans to all 

minority 

borrowersa

33.8% 34.8% 35.3% 36.9% 38.7% 36.6% 37.2% 34.9% 31.6% 29.3%

Percentage of 

loans to Hispanic 

borrowersa

14.4% 15.1% 15.8% 16.5% 17.6% 17.5% 18.0% 16.9% 14.7% 12.9%

Percentage of 

loans to black 

borrowersa

13.8% 13.9% 13.6% 14.0% 14.8% 13.3% 13.2% 12.4% 13.5% 13.2%

Percentage of 

loans to lowincome borrowersa

44.4% 47.0% 48.5% 49.0% 48.1% 50.0% 53.4% 54.1% 55.4% 53.1%

Percentage of 

loans to moderateincome borrowersa

37.1% 35.9% 35.0% 34.6% 34.9% 33.9% 31.6% 31.4% 30.7% 31.3%

Average loan 

amounta

$85,683 $88,559 $91,279 $100,095 $104,406 $111,720 $117,796 $123,334 $122,840 $123,197

Average borrower 

credit scoreb

 660 662 653 639 647 645 647 640 640

Average initial 

interest rate 

(ARMs)b

6.6% 6.4% 6.0% 6.3% 7.1% 5.7% 5.2% 4.3% 4.5% 4.9%

Average interest 

rate (fixed-rate 

mortgages)b

7.9% 7.8% 7.2% 7.5% 8.3% 7.3% 6.9% 6.0% 6.1% 5.9%

Percentage of first 

liens that are 

ARMsb

25.5% 32.3% 6.4% 6.6% 7.8% 2.9% 8.5% 7.1% 12.0% 7.6%

Percentage of first 

liens with 

prepayment 

penaltiesa

0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA and HUD data. 

Page 42 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix III: Data on Selected Borrower and 

Loan Characteristics for FHA, Prime, and

Subprime Loans, 1996 through 2005 

a

Data from HMDA. 

b

Data from SFDW. 

Note: FHA does not allow prepayment penalties on the loans it insures. 

Table 7: Selected Prime Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 1996-2005 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage of 

loans to all 

minority borrowersa

16.4% 16.3% 15.9% 17.7% 19.4% 19.4% 21.2% 21.7% 21.5% 23.9%

Percentage of 

loans to Hispanic 

borrowersa

4.8% 4.5% 4.5% 5.1% 6.0% 6.5% 7.1% 7.5% 8.5% 10.2%

Percentage of 

loans to black 

borrowersa

4.6% 4.6% 4.3% 4.4% 4.5% 4.0% 4.1% 4.6% 5.0% 5.8%

Percentage of 

loans to lowincome borrowersa

25.0% 25.0% 25.7% 27.5% 26.7% 26.3% 27.5% 28.1% 28.0% 25.5%

Percentage of 

loans to moderateincome borrowersa

27.2% 26.7% 26.9% 26.3% 25.9% 26.2% 26.9% 27.0% 26.9% 25.9%

Average loan 

amounta

$114,315 $120,439 $127,858 $137,545 $147,814 $158,335 $178,201 $187,080 $212,528 $235,258

Average borrower 

credit scoreb

 716 719 721 723

Average interest 

rate at origination 

(ARMs)c

6.9% 6.8% 6.4% 6.5% 7.0% 6.3% 5.6% 5.0% 5.2% 5.5%

Average interest 

rate (fixed-rate 

loans)c

7.8% 7.7% 7.1% 7.3% 8.1% 7.0% 6.7% 5.8% 6.0% 6.0%

Percentage of firstliens that are 

ARMsd

 13.1% 11.8% 24.5% 22.5%

Percentage of firstliens with 

prepayment 

penaltiesd

 0.5% 0.3% 4.0% 6.0%

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data; information from Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Housing Finance Board; and FHAprovided summaries of information in LoanPerformance’s TrueStandings Servicing prime database. 

a

Data from HMDA. 

b

Data from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. 

c

Data from the Federal Housing Finance Board. 

d

Data from FHA-provided summaries of information in LoanPerformance’s TrueStandings Servicing 

prime database.

Page 43 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix III: Data on Selected Borrower and 

Loan Characteristics for FHA, Prime, and

Subprime Loans, 1996 through 2005 

Table 8: Selected Subprime Borrower and Loan Characteristics, 1996-2005 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Percentage of 

loans to all 

minority 

borrowersa

27.8% 30.5% 33.2% 39.6% 36.5% 36.0% 42.2% 47.2% 47.2% 53.5%

Percentage of 

loans to 

Hispanic 

borrowersa

7.7% 8.4% 9.1% 10.1% 10.2% 11.9% 17.1% 20.9% 23.0% 28.4%

Percentage of 

loans to black 

borrowersa

9.3% 12.8% 15.9% 17.7% 17.1% 16.6% 15.6% 15.4% 17.5% 18.6%

Percentage of 

loans to lowincome 

borrowersa

24.5% 27.5% 32.3% 40.0% 40.1% 33.9% 31.8% 29.9% 30.9% 27.1%

Percentage of 

loans to 

moderateincome 

borrowersa

27.8% 27.7% 29.0% 28.8% 28.0% 29.4% 30.5% 31.5% 31.8% 29.6%

Average loan 

amounta

$122,478 $118,189 $110,638 $101,337 $94,758 $117,110 $150,050 $178,049 $204,234 $233,901

Average 

borrower 

credit scoreb

 611 620 622 622

Average 

interest rate at 

origination 

(ARMs)c

8.7% 9.5% 9.7% 9.9% 10.6% 9.6% 8.5% 7.5% 6.9%

Average 

interest rate 

(fixed-rate 

loans)c

10.1% 10.0% 9.6% 10.4% 11.3% 9.8% 8.6% 7.5% 7.3%

Percentage of 

first liens that 

are ARMsc

 67.6% 62.3% 71.9% 72.6%

Percentage of 

first liens with 

prepayment 

penaltiesc

 64.1% 61.6% 59.9% 66.2%

Source: GAO analysis of HMDA data, information from UBS, and data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

a

Data from HMDA. 

b

Data from UBS Mortgage Strategist (November 29, 2005). UBS analyzed data from

LoanPerformance’s TrueStandings Securities subprime database. 

Page 44 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix III: Data on Selected Borrower and 

Loan Characteristics for FHA, Prime, and

Subprime Loans, 1996 through 2005 

c

Data from “The Evolution of Subprime Lending,” by Anthony Pennington-Cross and Souphala 

Chomsisengphet, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Review, January/February 2006, Vol. 88 (No. 

1), pp. 42, 44, 50, 53. The paper presents analysis of data from LoanPerformance’s TrueStandings 

Securities subprime database. This database consists primarily of the least risky (A-) grade of 

subprime loans. Therefore, the information we cite from the paper, including average interest rates, is 

not representative of riskier grades of subprime loans. The analysis is reprinted with the permission of 

the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 

Page 45 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix IV: Comments from the Department Appendix IV of Housing and Urban Development : Comments from the 

Department of Housing and Urban 

Development 

Page 46 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix IV: Comments from the Department 

of Housing and Urban Development 

Page 47 GAO-07-645 FHA Market Share
Appendix V: 

A

GAO Contact and Staff 

cknowledgments 

Page 48 GAO-07-645

Appendix V: GAO Contact and Staff 

Acknowledgments 

William Shear (202) 512-8678 or shearw@gao.gov

In addition, Steve Westley (Assistant Director), Triana Bash, Steve Brown, 

John McGrail, Jeff Miller, Marc Molino, Barbara Roesmann, Richard 

Vagnoni, and Jim Vitarello made key contributions to this report. 

FHA Market Share

GAO Contact 

Acknowledgments 

(250320) 
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