MFA Financial (formerly MFA Mortgage Investments) has three good buddies: Fannie, Freddie, and Ginnie. This self-advised mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) was incorporated in 1997 to invest in mortgage-backed securities and mortgages such as those guaranteed by government-related entities Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. The REIT's investment portfolio mainly consists of agency mortgage-backed securities, AAA-rated mortgage-backed securities, corporate and government bonds, and cash. MFA Financial buys its securities and loans from the banks, savings and loans, investment banks, and mortgage banking institutions that originate them. Its portfolio weighs in at approximately $8 billion.