WASHINGTON -- Home mortgage originations will rise by well over $100 billion this year, the head of the Federal National Mortgage Association predicted last week.
The total last year was $580 billion.
James Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, said the 1992 total will include about $200 billion of refinancings.
He told shareholders at their annual meeting that he expects housing starts to increase by 20% to 25% this year, despite the report of a 17% decline in April.
Mr. Johnson also forecast overall economic growth of 3.5% to 4% for the second half of this year and the first half of 1993.