A federal housing regulator says the number of loans 60 or more days delinquent increased about 4% in February.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency Tuesday reported credit quality continued to decline as about 41,000 more loans became 60 days or more delinquent in February.

"Loans 60 days+ delinquent increased approximately 4% in February to 1.1 million," the FHFA said in a release accompanying its latest Foreclosure Prevention Report.

The FHFA regulates Fannie Mae (FNM), Freddie Mac (FRE) and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks. The report Tuesday details actions taken to prevent unnecessary foreclosures. It is based on data from the government-sponsored enterprises' 30.2 million residential mortgages as of Feb. 28 and showed "significant foreclosure prevention activity."

"Completed foreclosure prevention actions increased by 9% in February with completed loan modifications growing by 26%," the FHFA said. "Repayment plans grew 38%."

-By Jeff Bater, Dow Jones Newswires; 202 862 9249; jeff.bater@dowjones.com