Study: Lax standards caused mortgage woes

Academics pin the mortgage crisis on lenient lending criteria.
FEB 19, 2008
Lax standards for lending are at the root of the mortgage crisis, according to the findings of a recent academic study, the Financial Times reported today. The rate of default on mortgage loans has risen in recent years because banks are less restrictive when the loans are going to be securitized, noted the study that was conducted by academics at the London Business School and University of Chicago and other educational institutions. The study suggests banks and credit rating agencies have under-estimated the risk of securitized loans in the United States. The study was the first large-scale attempt to measure the link between mortgage defaults and the process of turning loans into bonds.

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income