Differences in subprime loan pricing across races and neighborhoods

Ghent, Andra C.; Hernandez-Murillo, Ruben; Owyang, Michael T.

Working Paper

Differences in subprime loan pricing across races and neighborhoods

Abstract: We investigate whether race and ethnicity influenced subprime loan pricing during 2005, the peak of the subprime mortgage expansion. We combine loan-level data on the performance of non-prime securitized mortgages with individual- and neighborhood- level data on racial and ethnic characteristics for metropolitan areas in California and Florida. Using a model of rate determination that accounts for predicted loan performance, we evaluate the differences in subprime mortgage rates in terms of racial and ethnic groups and neighborhood characteristics. We find evidence of adverse pricing for blacks and Hispanics. The evidence of adverse pricing is strongest for purchase mortgages and mortgages originated by non-depository institutions.

Keywords: Subprime mortgage; Housing policy; Discrimination in mortgage loans;