Search Results
Working Paper
Beyond the transaction: depository institutions and reduced mortgage default for low-income homebuyers
We evaluate the effects of the lending institution and soft information on mortgage loan performance for low-income homebuyers. We find that even after controlling for bank selection, those who receive a loan from a local bank are significantly less likely to become delinquent or default than other bank or nonbank borrowers, suggesting an information effect. These effects are most pronounced for higher-risk borrowers, who likely benefit more from informational advantages of local banks. These findings support previous research on small business lending and provide additional explanation for ...
Discussion Paper
Reverse Mortgage Retrospective: How Recent Policy Changes Affected Government-Insured Reverse Mortgage Originations and Performance
This discussion paper analyzes the outcomes of recent policy reforms to the federally insured reverse mortgage program. Prior to these reforms, more than one out of 10 older adults with a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) was reported to be in default on the loan for failure to pay property taxes or homeowner’s insurance payments. We study the effect of two major types of policy reforms: one that restricted the amount of funds available to a borrower, and the other that introduced underwriting requirements through a financial assessment for the first time in the program’s history. ...
Journal Article
Do bank branches matter anymore?
Bank branches have been disappearing in some major metropolitan areas, as their populations and economic activity decline. Our research suggests that brick-and-mortar branches provide tangible benefi ts to consumers, especially in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. When branches are located in these areas, borrowers living there default less and have greater access to credit.
Working Paper
How House Price Dynamics and Credit Constraints affect the Equity Extraction of Senior Homeowners
Households can borrow against equity through different channels, including home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), second liens, cash-out refinancing, and--for senior homeowners--reverse mortgages. We use data from the New York Federal Reserve/Equifax Consumer Credit Panel, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other sources to jointly estimate the decision to extract equity through these different channels. Specifically, we identify the influence of credit constraints, house price dynamics and their interactions on the proportion of seniors in a ZIP code extracting through ...
Essay
Older Americans Faced Early Pandemic Credit Constraints
Older Americans saw debt fall early in the pandemic, but also their existing credit curtailed and new credit denied at greater rates than younger consumers.