SUBPRIME MORTGAGES AND LENDING BUBBLES

Optimal Stopping and Losses on Subprime Mortgages

Lender losses on mortgage loans arise from a two-stage process. In the first stage, the borrower stops making payments if and when default is optimal. The second stage is a lengthy and costly period during which the lender employs legal remedies to obtain possession and execute a sale of the collateral. This research uses data on subprime mortgage losses to explore the role of borrower and coll...

Foreclosures of Subprime Mortgages in Chicago: Analyzing the Role of Predatory Lending Practices

A dramatic rise in subprime foreclosures over the past several years has led to calls for restrictions of, or prohibitions against, a range of lending practices loosely termed “predatory.” Several cities and states have enacted legislation or regulations aimed at eliminating predatory practices, and some advocacy groups have endorsed action nationally. This working paper uses data from the Chic...

Subprime Market Growth and Predatory Lending

This article provides an overview of two core issues related to subprime market growth and predatory lending. Two general issues were addressed. First, the rapid growth of subprime lending in minority neighborhoods has raised questions concerning the absence of prime conventional lenders in these neighborhoods. There is evidence that more competition by prime lenders could lower the borrowing c...

Subprime Lending and House Price Volatility

This paper establishes a theoretical and empirical link between the use of aggressive mortgage lending instruments, such as interest only, negative amortization or subprime, mortgages and the underlying house price volatility. Such instruments, which come into existence through innovation or financial deregulation, allow more borrowing than otherwise would occur. Within the context of a theoret...

Subprime Outcomes: Risky Mortgages, Homeownership Experiences, and Foreclosures