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Glite Dictionary
Federal National Mortgage Association

Federal National Mortgage Association

6.3
A US company created by the government that buys and guarantees home loans to help the mortgage market
  • proper noun
  • Formal
translation icon : Asociación Nacional de Hipotecas Federal
  • The Federal National Mortgage Association is often referred to as Fannie Mae.

Examples

  • Congress created the Federal National Mortgage Association in 1938 to expand the flow of mortgage money.

  • The Federal National Mortgage Association plays a crucial role in the housing market.

  • The Federal National Mortgage Association plays a critical role in the US housing finance system.

  • Did you know that the Federal National Mortgage Association was created in 1938?

  • Congress created the Federal National Mortgage Association in 1938 to expand the flow of mortgage money.

  • The Federal National Mortgage Association is often referred to as Fannie Mae.

  • The Federal National Mortgage Association plays a critical role in the US housing finance system.

Synonyms

Fannie Mae
vsFederal National Mortgage Association
  • US
2 5.6

A United States government-backed company that buys and guarantees home loans

is the formal corporate title used in official contexts rather than the common name
FNMA
vsFederal National Mortgage Association
  • US
1 7.2

A US company that buys and guarantees home loans

is the full formal corporate name rather than the abbreviation

Surface Forms

Federal National Mortgage Association main

Morphology

federal + national + mortgage + association

The headwords clearly combine to indicate an organisation at the federal/national level dealing with mortgages ("mortgage association"), so a B1 learner who knows the parts will grasp it refers to a national body connected to mortgages. However, the precise institutional role and legal status (a government‑sponsored corporation that purchases and guarantees mortgages) are technical and not predictable from the constituents, so the meaning is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Federal National Mortgage Association got the friendly nickname 'Fannie Mae' from the letters FNMA being spoken like a name so people could say it faster. It was set up in 1938 to buy and back home loans, and that is why 'Fannie Mae' still means the company that helps keep money flowing for mortgages.