TAXPAYER AID: Mortgage buyer Fannie Mae is asking for less money from the government, requesting $1.5 billion in assistance in a sign the taxpayer bill for bailing out the company could be billions lower than once thought.
MONEY SET ASIDE: The government-controlled company said it has set aside enough money to cover the majority of losses stemming from bad loans made from 2005 through 2008.
TWO YEARS LATER: The government rescued Fannie Mae and sibling company Freddie Mac nearly two years ago. The new request means they have needed $146.4 billion to stay afloat.