Lenders incentivized to avoid low-income minority neighborhoods in mortgage market.
The article explores whether mortgage lenders have incentives to avoid lending to low-income minority neighborhoods. By using the Option Pricing Model, the researchers found that current laws do not allow lenders to adjust mortgage terms based on borrower characteristics. This leads to lenders and insurers avoiding areas with high default risks. The study suggests changes in regulations to remove these incentives and considers programs to help high-risk borrowers.