Which of the following statements about Fannie Mae is NOT true?

Fannie Mae, formally known as the Federal National Mortgage Association, plays a crucial role in the mortgage market by enhancing the availability of mortgage credit. Fannie Mae does not lend money directly to homebuyers; rather, it aims to increase the supply of affordable mortgage finance through its activities.

The primary function of Fannie Mae is to purchase mortgages that lenders have already originated, thus providing them with capital to originate more loans. This is different from directly lending money to individual consumers. By buying loans from lenders, Fannie Mae helps to ensure liquidity in the mortgage market, making it easier for lenders to provide financing to homebuyers and maintain a stable housing market.

In addition to purchasing loans and providing funding, one of Fannie Mae's roles is to help stabilize the housing market by promoting homeownership and ensuring that lenders can continue to offer mortgages even in fluctuating economic conditions. Therefore, the statement that Fannie Mae lends money directly to homebuyers is the only incorrect assertion among the options provided.