Former Fannie Mae economist Doug Duncan forms new business

Following his retirement from a decades-long career as a housing economist, Doug Duncan is back in business.

Cade Martin/Cade Martin Photography

In a social media post this week, the former chief economist at Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association announced the launch of a new limited liability company. 

"Summoning a burst of creativity, I created a company called Duncanomics LLC," he wrote on LinkedIn in early April. Duncan added he expected to begin work on building out the company later this month, starting with administrative and development tasks behind its formation and registration.

Duncan stepped down as Fannie Mae's chief economist in September after holding the position at the government-sponsored enterprise for over 16 years. Following a short transition period, he exited the company at the end last year. 

Under his leadership, Fannie Mae's Economic and Strategic Research Group earned accolades for its work, including the 2022 Lawrence R. Klein Award for Blue Chip Forecast Accuracy. Duncan also received the National Association for Business Economists Outlook Award for forecasting work in both 2015 and 2016, the only honoree to win in consecutive years.

Prior to joining the GSE, Duncan served in the same role at the Mortgage Bankers Association, ascending to the post in late 2000 before leaving the trade group for Fannie Mae eight years later. His tenure at MBA began in 1992, where he also served as director of research prior to his promotion to chief economist.

At the start of his career, Duncan worked as an economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture after receiving his Ph.D from Texas A&M University. 

Duncan is also an alumnus of North Dakota State University, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. His alma mater awarded him with the 2025 NDSU Foundation Alumni Achievement Award in honor of his professional accomplishments.