4 ms·

The secret bias hidden in mortgage-approval algorithms

2 points by Plasmoid 5y ago

lax4ever 5y ago
This is, in a word, horse-shit. Fannie and Freddie's automated underwriting systems don't even take into account any racial or ethnic factors when determining eligibility. There is something missing here, and the AP has done everyone reading this a disservice by publishing this article in it's current form.
- rudolph9 5y ago
  > “If the data that you’re putting in is based on historical discrimination,” said Aracely Panameño, director of Latino affairs for the Center for Responsible Lending, “then you’re basically cementing the discrimination at the other end.” They site numerous objective data points to support what is well summarized by that quote. Whether or not you are convinced is up to you but suggesting that AP news is withholding information and doing everyone a disservice in publishing the article seems like a bit of a stretch.
  - lax4ever 5y ago
    I have worked in this industry for 5 years. I have worked with countless individuals regardless of race, gender, or creed to help them purchase homes and refinance. This article is missing information and I can only guess just what they missed by not doing their due diligence here. Off the top of my head there could have been several reasons why there was a delay in clearing the file to close, not the least of which is the need to clear any possible judgments that might have popped on a judgment search, a missed issue by an underwriter that could have possibly affected the loan and needed to be resolved by less than traditional means, or even an issue with the seller that the buyer was not allowed to know about. Like I said, I have been in this industry for 5 years and the banking industry in general for another 2, and this story reeks of inaccuracy.
    - rudolph9 5y ago
      Obviously there are a lot of reasons a mortgage can be declined but that doesn’t change the overall statistics. What specifically in the article is inaccurate?

2 points by Plasmoid 5y ago

This is, in a word, horse-shit. Fannie and Freddie's automated underwriting systems don't even take into account any racial or ethnic factors when determining eligibility. There is something missing here, and the AP has done everyone reading this a disservice by publishing this article in it's current form.

rudolph9 5y ago
> “If the data that you’re putting in is based on historical discrimination,” said Aracely Panameño, director of Latino affairs for the Center for Responsible Lending, “then you’re basically cementing the discrimination at the other end.” They site numerous objective data points to support what is well summarized by that quote. Whether or not you are convinced is up to you but suggesting that AP news is withholding information and doing everyone a disservice in publishing the article seems like a bit of a stretch.
- lax4ever 5y ago
  I have worked in this industry for 5 years. I have worked with countless individuals regardless of race, gender, or creed to help them purchase homes and refinance. This article is missing information and I can only guess just what they missed by not doing their due diligence here. Off the top of my head there could have been several reasons why there was a delay in clearing the file to close, not the least of which is the need to clear any possible judgments that might have popped on a judgment search, a missed issue by an underwriter that could have possibly affected the loan and needed to be resolved by less than traditional means, or even an issue with the seller that the buyer was not allowed to know about. Like I said, I have been in this industry for 5 years and the banking industry in general for another 2, and this story reeks of inaccuracy.
  - rudolph9 5y ago
    Obviously there are a lot of reasons a mortgage can be declined but that doesn’t change the overall statistics. What specifically in the article is inaccurate?