FACTBOX-Key facts on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

July 12 (Reuters) - Shares in U.S. mortgage finance firms Fannie Mae (FNM.N) and Freddie Mac (FRE.N) plunged this week as market speculation mounted that the government was set to take them over to resolve their funding problems.

Here are some key facts about the two companies:

FANNIE MAE:

-- Formal name: Federal National Mortgage Association

-- Created in 1938 by Congress as part of a campaign aimed at expanding the secondary U.S. mortgage market and increasing home ownership and rental housing.

-- Annual revenue: $43.71 billion (Dec. 31, 2007)

-- Chairman: Stephen B. Ashley.

-- Shares touched a 52-week high of $70.57 on Aug. 22, 2007 and fell as low as $6.87 on Friday, but closed at $10.25.

FREDDIE MAC:

-- Formal name: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

-- Created in 1970 by Congress as part of a campaign aimed at expanding the secondary U.S. mortgage market and increasing home ownership and rental housing

-- Annual revenue: $42.91 billion (Dec. 31, 2007)

-- Common stock outstanding: 646.27 million (Jan. 31, 2008)

-- Chairman: Richard F. Syron.

-- Shares touched a 52-week high of $67.20 on Aug. 17, 2007 and fell as low as $3.89 on Friday, but closed at $7.75.

WHAT DO THE COMPANIES DO?