WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Federal Housing Finance Agency chief James Lockhart said on Thursday U.S. mortgage insurance companies remain an important part of the national housing finance system.

"They're very important," Lockhart said, speaking about the insurance companies that underwrite a share of most loans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "I'm a strong believer in the private market. The idea of some risk sharing with the private market makes a lot of sense."

Lockhart said he would like to see mortgage insurance companies receive a capital injection under Washington's financial market rescue plan.

(Reporting by Patrick Rucker, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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