GSES permitted to pay Q3 preferred dividend

WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Fannie Mae (FNM.N) will pay the rest of the third quarter preferred share dividends promised to investors, but not paid, before the federal government took control of the mortgage-finance company, it said on Wednesday.

The regulator for Fannie Mae and its cousin, Freddie Mac (FRE.N), took control of the two government-sponsored enterprises this weekend.

Fannie Mae said that it was being permitted to make the third quarter dividend payment because it was an outstanding obligation made before the companies were taken into government hands.