Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae These are all sources of government-secured loans. They are not lenders, but they set the loan guidelines that lenders typically follow, resulting in better rates for buyers. Fannie Mae stands for the Federal National Mortgage Association, and deals primarily in conventional loans. Freddie Mac stands for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and deals with conventional loans. Ginnie Mae stands for the Government National Mortgage Association, and deals with FHA and VA loans.