Discrimination in mortgage lending: Evidence from a correspondence experiment

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Urban Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 92
Issue: C
Pages: 48-65

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We design and implement an experimental test for differential response by mortgage loan originators (MLOs) to requests for information about loans. Our e-mail correspondence experiment is designed to analyze differential treatment by client race and credit score. Our results show net discrimination by 1.8% of MLOs through non-response. We also find that MLOs offer more details about loans and are more likely to send follow up correspondence to whites. The effect of being African American on MLO response is equivalent to the effect of having a credit score that is 71 points lower.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:juecon:v:92:y:2016:i:c:p:48-65
Journal Field
Urban
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25