Taxpayers may soon profit on Fannie, Freddie bailouts

When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in bad shape in 2008, the government bailed out both lenders at a combined total of $187 billion. Well, thanks to a recovery in the housing sector, the two mortgage finance firms have become rather profitable. Fannie posted a $10 billion profit this quarter and Freddie a $5 billion profit. The two have, so far, repaid $146 billion.