The Federal Reserve on Monday kick-started its latest unconventional programme to boost the US economy, this time targeting mortgage-backed securities to help the slumping housing market, reports Reuters. The Fed plans to buy back as much as a ninth of outstanding, mortgage-backed bonds sold by mortgage giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. The aim is to encourage buyers to return to the housing market or cut payments on existing home loans. The New York Fed began buying MBS guaranteed by Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie on Monday, part of a programme of as much as $500bn.
