Office of the Ombudsman

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) oversees the prudential operations of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (collectively, regulated entities), and the Office of Finance of the FHLBank System.  FHFA's Office of the Ombudsman was created by regulation under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  The Office is responsible for considering complaints and appeals from any regulated entity, the Office of Finance, and any person that has a business relationship with a regulated entity or the Office of Finance concerning any matter relating to FHFA’s regulation and supervision of that entity or Office of Finance.  Neither FHFA nor any FHFA employee may retaliate against a regulated entity, the Office of Finance, or a person for submitting a complaint or appeal to the Ombudsman.

Michael J. Powers is FHFA’s Ombudsman. He assumed his position on March 28, 2011. 
Mr. Powers' bio. 
 

What the Ombudsman Does The Ombudsman

  • ensures that complaints and appeals concerning the regulation and supervision of entities FHFA regulates are considered in a fair and timely manner; 
  • conducts independent inquiries and acts as a neutral facilitator or mediator to help resolve complaints and appeals; and, 
  • submits findings of fact and recommendations to the FHFA Director concerning complaints and appeals that have not been resolved through facilitation or mediation.

What the Ombudsman Does Not Do

The Ombudsman does not
  • take sides;
  • facilitate or mediate disputes for which there is an existing avenue of appeal or other forum, such as matters in litigation, arbitration, or mediation; or a matter within the jurisdiction of the FHFA Office of Inspector General; or
  • handle complaints concerning internal FHFA functions, such as personnel and procurement.

How Is Confidentiality Protected?The Office of the Ombudsman has dedicated telephone and fax lines and secure file facilities.  The Office does not disclose the identity of a party or the information or materials provided by a party except to appropriate reviewing or investigating officials or if disclosure is required by law.


If the FHFA Ombudsman Cannot Consider Your Complaint or Appeal FHFA regulates the FHLBanks, the Office of Finance of the FHLB System, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.  It does not regulate FHLBank members or any other financial institutions. Contact information for the federal regulators of other financial institutions is provided below:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Charters and regulates national banks, thrifts and savings banks
1-713-336-4350

Federal Reserve System
Supervises and regulates banking institutions that are members of the Federal Reserve System
1-888-851-1920

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Regulates state chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System
1-877-275-3342

National Credit Union Administration 
Regulates credit unions
1-800-755-1030 

How to Contact the Ombudsman

Telephone:

Dial Toll Free (888) 665-1474 and leave a message.

Fax:

(888) 370-0869

E-Mail:

Ombudsman@fhfa.gov


Mail:

Michael J. Powers
Ombudsman
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Constitution Center
400 7th Street , SW
Washington, DC 20024