Electronic Resources: Predatory Lending: Internet Resources

The Internet contains abundant information and resources on fair housing and predatory lending issues. HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity web page (www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm) has number of articles, booklets, and guidance materials related to fair housing. In addition, the HUD Web site offers numerous resources on predatory lending, including a bibliography of predatory lending resources (www.hud.gov/offices/adm/library/bibliog/predlend.cfm) that was compiled by the Reference staff of the HUD Library.

The Federal Reserve Board has a number of guides to understanding home mortgages and ensuring fair lending, including "Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending" (www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/mortgage/morbro.htm)

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Web site (www.ffiec.gov/hmda/default.htm) has information on the Community Reinvestment Act, comments on and reactions to Regulation C and its amendments, and links to HMDA data.

The Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) has a Predatory Lending Resource Center Web site (www.mbaa.org/resources/predlend/) that has the latest news on predatory lending, updates on state, local, and federal regulations and activities, resources for MBA members and industry professionals, and useful Web links.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has a campaign against predatory lending (www.acorn.org/acorn10/predatorylending/campaign.htm) that has definitions of predatory lending, anecdotes, current events, and resources designed both for prevention and for victims.

The American Bankers Association Web site has a page on predatory lending (www.aba.com/Consumer+Connection/CNC_pred3.htm) with resources on home loans, the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act, avoiding predatory lenders, and various web links.

The Fannie Mae Web site (www.fanniemae.com) has information on various local anti-predatory lending initiatives (www.fanniemae.com/initiatives/lending/antipredatory.jhtml) in addition to other resources online targeted towards helping homeowners avoid predatory lenders. Freddie Mac also has resources for those who are trying to avoid abusive lenders at www.freddiemac.com/homebuyers/bank/pred_lending.html.

The Coalition for Responsible Lending (http://predatorylending.org/index.cfm) is an organization consisting of over 80 organizations with over three million members and dedicated to the principles of fair lending, including equitable treatment of all borrowers, fair and reasonable financing terms, accurate loan servicing, and a commitment to building up disadvantaged communities. The Web site has a wealth of resources on predatory lending, including information on the North Carolina lending law, details about abusive lending practices and stories from victims, research on predatory lending, and additional resources for both policy makers and consumers.