Feds give Fannie, Freddie access to capital

Fears that the government might have to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have sent the companies' share prices plummeting, but the turmoil in financial markets hasn't translated into higher mortgage rates or tightened underwriting standards.

A contingency plan announced by federal regulators Sunday to provide Fannie and Freddie with access to more capital is aimed at calming investors in the companies, and the crisis may ultimately have little impact on mortgage lending or the housing downturn, analysts said.

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