Legal Definitions - Ginnie Mae

Ginnie Mae, also known as the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), is a government-owned corporation that guarantees mortgage-backed securities made up of FHA-insured or VA-guaranteed mortgage loans. This means that if a borrower defaults on their mortgage, Ginnie Mae will step in and pay the investors who own the mortgage-backed security.

For example, let's say a borrower takes out an FHA-insured mortgage from a local lender. The lender then sells that mortgage to Ginnie Mae, who pools it with other mortgages and creates a mortgage-backed security. Investors can then buy shares of that security, which represents a portion of the underlying mortgages. If the borrower defaults on their mortgage, Ginnie Mae will use the insurance provided by the FHA to pay the investors.

Ginnie Mae plays an important role in the mortgage market by providing a government guarantee for mortgage-backed securities, which makes them more attractive to investors. This, in turn, helps to keep mortgage rates low and makes it easier for borrowers to obtain financing for their homes.