by Calculated Risk on 9/28/2012 05:01:00 PM

Fannie Mae reported that the Single-Family Serious Delinquency rate declined in August to 3.44% from 3.50% July. The serious delinquency rate is down from 4.03% in August last year, and this is the lowest level since April 2009.

The Fannie Mae serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 5.59%.

Freddie Mac reported that the Single-Family serious delinquency rate declined in August to 3.36%, from 3.42% in July. Freddie's rate is down from 3.49% in August 2011. Freddie's serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at 4.20%. This is the lowest level for Freddie since August 2009.

These are loans that are "three monthly payments or more past due or in foreclosure".

Click on graph for larger image

In 2009, Fannie's serious delinquency rate increased faster than Freddie's rate. Since then, Fannie's rate has been falling faster - and now the rates are at about the same level.

Although this indicates some progress, the "normal" serious delinquency rate is under 1% - and it looks like it will be several years until the rates back to normal.