Fannie Mae lost $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter and asked the federal government for another $4.6 billion in bailouts, according to reports.

However, Fannie recorded a $73 million profit during the same period the previous year. Even so, the government-backed entity reported a $16.8 billion loss for the entire year, exacerbating the $14 billion in losses it experienced in 2010.

Since entering conservatorship in 2008, Fannie was given $116 billion in government funds through the end of 2011 and paid back roughly $19.8 billion. This year, Fannie paid $2.6 billion in dividends to the Treasury Department in the fourth quarter.