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WASHINGTON — U.S. mortgage giant Fannie Mae plans to pay retention bonuses of as much as $611,000 (U.S.) each to key executives this year as part of a plan to keep hundreds of employees from leaving the government-controlled company. Rival mortgage finance company
Freddie Mac is planning similar awards, but has not yet reported on which executives will benefit.
The two companies, which together own or back more than half of the home mortgages in the country, have been hobbled by skyrocketing loan defaults. Fannie recently requested $15-billion in federal aid, while Freddie has sought a total of almost $45-billion.

Fannie Mae disclosed its “broad-based” retention program in a recent regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company was only required to disclose the amounts for the top-paid executives, who will pocket at least $470,000 on top of their base salaries. The bonuses are more than double last year’s, which ranged from $200,000 to $260,000.
A company spokesman declined further comment.
Fannie Mae said regulators determined that the bonuses were needed because keeping key employees “was essential to ensure our viability through 2010, which would allow Congress, the administration and other parties involved time to determine what the form and function of the company will be in future years.”
The bonuses were authorized last year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which seized control of Fannie and Freddie in September. But the generous paycheques could prove politically touchy amid outrage over roughly $165-million in bonuses paid out over the weekend by bailed-out insurance giant AIG.
Michael Williams, Washington-based Fannie Mae’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, is due to receive a $611,000 retention award on top of his $676,000 base salary. David Hisey, the company’s deputy chief financial offer is expected to receive a $517,000 retention award this year in addition to his $385,000 salary and $160,000 cash bonus.
The company’s two top executives, chief executive Officer Herbert Allison and chief financial officer David Johnson, did not receive the awards because they were new to the company last year. Mr. Allison is taking no salary, while Johnson is receiving a base salary of $625,000 and no bonus.