Defaults on loans skyrocket in state as economy weakensMinneapolis Star Tribune (subscription), MN -Feb 23, 2008His attempts to refinance the home loan have gone unanswered. "I get the feeling they're dealing with a lot of people right now." He said he's working with ... Does the lender make privately or federally insured or guaranteed loans? Some mortgage loans may be backed by a federal agency, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans).