Blog
List of articles
Preparing for the 2018 HMDA Submission
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act makes essential information accessible for professionals in the financial industry to help us all make better decisions based on data analysis. Be sure to check out the Bureau’s last update for the most recent changes before submitting...
Aspects of Preapproval Analysis You May Not Have Thought About
Institutions with preapproval programs should pay close attention to how they incorporate preapproval applications in fair lending reviews. Fortunately, LendingPatterns™ and Fair Lending Magic™ provide robust tools that allow you to produce a thorough analysis....
What LendingPatterns™ Can Teach You About the BB&T and SunTrust Merger
The announcement of the BB&T and SunTrust merger on February 7, 2019 has me thinking about its impact on the industry as well as what lenders might learn by looking at the data behind the merger. The good news is that it’s easy to create pseudo bank mergers using...
The Impact of the U.S. Government Shutdown on the Mortgage Industry
The U.S. government was shut down for over a month, and mortgage lenders have felt the effects of the impasse between Democrats and Republicans over Trump’s “border wall”. Upon first glance, these topics don’t seem related, but they are. The U.S. government shutdown...
How LendingPatterns™ Can Help You Avoid Redlining
Mortgage lending can be a complicated process sometimes, with dozens of factors taken into consideration before approving an applicant for a loan. Unfortunately, lenders can often be so focused on the data and statistics that they may inadvertently be declining...
Almost 2019: Year-in review perspective of HMDA developments
As we ring in the new year, it is helpful to recap where we are on three different HMDA fronts: 1) data collection, 2) ensuring data quality within the private data, and 3) disclosure and analysis of public data. In each area, I’ll describe the major developments over...
DIY Statistical Analysis of HMDA Data
HMDA data is not just about collecting and reporting. If used right, it can be a strategic asset that can produce bottom-line results. I encourage you to make the most of your data by asking and answering questions based on HMDA results you see in LendingPatterns™....
What I Wish Everyone Knew About FFIEC Fair Lending Risk Factors and Software Evaluation
Did you factor the Interagency Fair Lending Examination Procedures’ risk factors (listed beginning on page 6 of this file) into your decision to acquire your current fair lending software solution? Whether you have fair lending software or want to find a new...
What’s the latest on Public 2017 HMDA Data?
In years past, FFIEC’s release of public HMDA data from the previous year had been finalized by November. But not so this year. My colleagues and I have been getting questions about whether the 2017 public data are final, so this blog will hopefully provide clarity on...
What the HMDA Data Reveals about the Future of Private Label Securities
In the sixties they asked, “Where have all the flowers gone?” Today I wonder: Where have all the spread loans gone? Running historical trend charts in LendingPatterns™ reveal that spread lending still exists. The next logical question is: Which investors are...
The State of the US Housing Market: Millennial Trends
Although US Federal Reserve Chairman, Jay Powell, may feel the US housing market is in good shape, it seems as though the market may be slowing more than is ideal. On the other hand, the economy in America is doing well, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in...
Six Fun Facts about Combined Statistical Areas
Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) are defined in Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Performance Evaluations (e.g., this one) as “a combination of several adjacent metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) or micropolitan statistical areas or a mix of the two, which are...
Get Ready For The MBA’s Annual Convention & Expo
The MBA’s Annual Convention & Expo is the country’s largest gathering of real estate finance professionals, and you can’t miss this great opportunity to deepen your knowledge on the industry. The event takes place from October 14th to 17th in Washington, DC, and...
Mortgage Asset Quality: Use HMDA Data to See How You Compare
All banking professionals are familiar with the acronym CAMELS (Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity, Sensitivity), the risk rating system used by bank regulators. HMDA data can play a role in this rating system. Specifically, I’d like to...
Expected Loss of Rate Spread Data Should Hurt Fair Lending Pricing Analysis
The August 31, 2018 HMDA rule helped clarify the 2018 reporting requirements for banks and credit unions that are minor players in the mortgage market. However, this rule could adversely affect the rate spread data used in fair lending pricing analysis. Rate spread is...