Government National Mortgage Association
APM 25-06: High Balance Loans
December 8, 2025
Summary
Ginnie Mae has updated the definition of High Balance Loans to align with the FHFA's increased conforming loan limits mandated under HERA. This change specifically affects the calculation of original principal balances, net of financed mortgage insurance premiums or VA funding fees, for pools or loan packages submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
Pursuant to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced increased conforming loan limits. Accordingly, Ginnie Mae is revising its definition of High Balance Loans as follows. Effective for pools or loan packages submitted on or after January 1, 2026, a High Balance Loan is defined as a single-family forward mortgage loan with an original principal balance (minus the amount of any upfront mortgage insurance premium or the VA Funding Fee) that exceeds the following limits:
| Maximum Loan Amounts (net of any financed MIP or Guaranty Fee) |
Source: https://www.ginniemae.gov/issuers/program_guidelines/Pages/mbsguideapmslibdisppage.aspx?ParamID=177
Common questions
- What does "APM 25-06: High Balance Loans" cover?
- Ginnie Mae has updated the definition of High Balance Loans to align with the FHFA's increased conforming loan limits mandated under HERA. This change…
- Which agency issued this update?
- This update was issued by Government National Mortgage Association.
- When was it published?
- It was published on December 8, 2025.