Who's Who: mortgage economists: Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac
"What really increases the risk of mortgage
default is if you have this payment shock coupled
with a weak economy, because a weak economy
means unemployment,"
"Family incomes are lower. And then if you layer
on top of that a payment shock, that's a trigger
event that may very well lead to a default."
quote, Frank Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac.
Economic commentary, 2003-2005
Frank E. Nothaft was appointed to the position of
chief economist in December 2001 and vice president
in March 2004. In this position, Nothaft is
responsible for primary and secondary mortgage
market analysis and research, macroeconomic
analysis and forecasting. Nothaft is also involved
in the analysis of affordable lending activities and
policy issues affecting the housing industry.
Prior to being named chief economist, Nothaft
served as deputy chief economist for Freddie Mac
from 1988, and as a senior economist from November
1986. Nothaft was an economist with the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 1983
until 1986, where he served in the mortgage and
consumer finance section and as the assistant to
Governor Henry C. Wallich. A widely quoted
expert on housing and economic issues, Nothaft
makes frequent guest appearances in both local
and national media outlets. Nothaft holds a Ph.D.
in economics from Columbia University and a
B.A. cum laude from New York University.
He is a member of the American Real Estate and
Urban Economics Association
Previously:
Who's who 3 of Real Estate economics: Todd Sinai.
Who's who 2 of Real Estate economics: Dave Seiders, National Association of Homebuilders.
Who's who 1 of Mortgage economists: Scott Anderson at Wells Fargo.