Search Results
Working Paper
Neighborhood information and home mortgage lending.
An examination of how information about a neighborhood affects the level of lending activity in it--specifically, whether lenders deny mortgage applications at higher rates in neighborhoods where they have little experience in evaluating applications and/or where the lending community in general lacks such experience.
Working Paper
The simple analytics of observed discrimination in credit markets
Controversial econometric studies of mortgage data show that mortgage loan applications by minorities are denied more frequently than are applications by whites with similar observable default risk factors. But recent evidence indicates that minority borrowers also default more frequently than whites with similar observable risk. This paper presents a simple equilibrium model of discriminatory credit rationing and finds parametric restrictions consistent with both these empirical findings. But in this model, proposed anti-discrimination policies have surprising side effects. Thus, policy ...
Journal Article
Redlining or red herring?
Working Paper
Cross-lender variation in home mortgage lending
A lender-specific analysis of differences in minority and low-income mortgage loan originations using new applicant-level data gathered under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975.
Working Paper
Can studies of application denials and mortgage defaults uncover taste-based discrimination?
Several articles in the popular press have asserted that a simple comparison of average mortgage default rates for white and minority applicants is necessary and sufficient to uncover discrimination in mortgage lending. The fallacy of this assertion has been examined in Peterson (1981), Tootell (1993), and Yinger (1993). These papers show that a failure to account for the financial characteristics of each application or loan makes a simple comparison of average rates meaningless. However, recent empirical work on discrimination in mortgage lending has examined both application denial and ...
Discussion Paper
The homeownership and financing experience in two Chicago minority neighborhoods
This article documents the homeownership and financing decisions made by Hispanic and Black households in two Chicago ethnic communities to help policy makers, financial institutions and community leaders better understand the homeownership process for these two minority groups. Based on our findings, several policy initiatives and programs are proposed to improve the quality of financial literacy and ultimately for Hispanic and Black households.
Discussion Paper
Access to credit and financial services among black households
Journal Article
Measuring pricing bias in mortgages
Detecting and measuring discrimination in the pricing of mortgage loans present unique challenges for bank regulators. This Commentary outlines how loans are priced in the mortgage market and the difficulties involved in comparing the prices charged to different borrowers.