Research & Analysis
HIGHLIGHT
Back in 2001, we estimated that predatory mortgage lending cost consumers $9.1 billion every year. Since then, the market for subprime home loans surged, then exploded, and it has become painfully clear that the total cost of bad lending practices is almost incalculable. Still, we keep trying. In recent years our research has focused on topics such as trends in the subprime market, racial disparities in lending, and an assessment of predatory lending laws in the states. Visit us often to stay up-to-date on our latest findings, including periodic assessments of reports issued by lenders and regulatory agencies.
- End Predatory Pricing on Home Loans (Yield-Spread Premiums)
December 7, 2009The Federal Reserve is considering rules to restrict mortgage brokers and lenders from giving borrowers loans with higher interest rates than necessary and earning "yield-spread premium" kickbacks in exchange.
- Mortgage Repairs Lag Far Behind Foreclosures
December 4, 2009Mortgage companies have blocked sensible actions to stop foreclosures, promising to fix the problem themselves – but they’re not delivering. The latest MBA figures show that the proportion of struggling homeowners continues to climb.
- Brief Overview of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency
September 15, 2009A brief overview of how the Consumer Financial Protection Agency would ensure that banking is safe for all Americans.
- Consumer Financial Protection Agency: Myths versus Reality
August 13, 2009 - Current Trends in Foreclosure and What More Can Be Done To Prevent Them
July 28, 2009In a hearing on "Current Trends in Foreclosure and What More Can Be Done to Prevent Them," CRL's Keith Ernst urged Congress to take several actions to address the flood of foreclosures and fix the broken mortgage market: Create the Consumer Financial Protection Agency; pass or encourage sensible lending rules in the future; ensure that current prevention efforts are as effective as possible; and lift the ban that now prohibits home loan modifications through the courts.
- Financial Reform that Protects Consumers
June 25, 2009For years, federal bank regulators looked the other way; now Congress has a chance to reform our system of checks and balances, make banks accountable, and protect consumers from abusive financial products that caused our current economic crisis
- Regulatory Restructuring: Enhancing Consumer Financial Products Regulation
June 24, 2009Kathleen Keest, Senior Policy Counsel at CRL, testified before the House Financial Services Committee on CRL's support for a strong, state-of-the-art consumer protection agency for financial products -- provided that the agency is independent of the companies it regulates, and fully transparent and accountable to the public.
- Overview of the Obama Administration’s Proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency
June 24, 2009This summary focuses only on the consumer protection component of the Obama Administration’s Financial Regulatory Reform proposal.
- Six Principles for Real Reform: Balancing Bank Safety and Sensible Lending
June 24, 2009As Congress considers how to address improving consumer protection and regulation of our financial system going forward over the next several months, we offer six essential principles for achieving true regulatory reform.
- Comment: Proposed 2009 GSE Housing Goals
May 22, 2009CRL's comments on proposed housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac support incentives to modify distressed mortgages.
