Debt instruments issued by federal credit agencies. These securities are fully backed by the U.S. government guarantee but not by its full faith and credit. These securities have a very high credit rating - second only to Treasury bonds - and have maturity periods from one month to 15 years. Their yields vary the way that market conditions, maturities, size of the issue, and tax status vary. Sold by a nationwide group of banks and dealers, these securities raise money to fund public needs such as road building, low-cost housing, urban renewal, and also to provide low interest rate loans to farmers, small business owners, and veterans. The agencies that can issue these securities include Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Farm Credit Bureau.