AEI has begun a year-long project on the privatization of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and federal home loan banks. If successfully concluded, this research initiative will give the administration and Congress an alternative to the regulatory approach currently under consideration. As a first step, AEI has commissioned proposals by financial experts Bert Ely and Tom Stanton for consideration. Both proposals are intended to demonstrate how privatization might be achieved with minimal impact on the housing market. This event will have no formally designated discussants; the attendees will serve instead as the discussants, and substantial time has been set aside to give attendees the opportunity to critique or otherwise express their views on the proposals.

It is hoped that attendees will consider commenting on the practical questions of how the proposals will work--not their impact on mortgage interest rates or their political feasibility. Since both proposals may be modified, they will be subjected to thorough economic analysis at subsequent events.