Fannie Mae Made $17.2 Billion in 2012

Also paid dividends of $11.6 billion to the U.S. Treasury

WASHINGTON — Fannie Mae earned $17.2 billion last year, the biggest annual profit in the U.S. mortgage giant's history. The gain was driven by the housing recovery, which has reduced delinquencies and lifted home prices six years after the bubble burst.

The government-controlled company also said Tuesday that it paid dividends of $11.6 billion to the U.S. Treasury in 2012. Fannie says it expects to remain profitable "for the foreseeable future."