ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part presents differing perspectives on targeting particular lenders for fair lending investigation as well as on what to examine during an investigation. It describes what may become a useful investigative tool—influence statistics—for selecting individual loan application files for more intensive review. The part illustrates both the convergence of research and enforcement information, and how research and enforcement efforts might improve public policy. It also describes how an agency with more limited resources than the Comptroller of the Currency and other federal regulatory agencies can approach fair lending investigation. The part provides a step-by-step review and assessment of information commonly found in loan application files. It explores various practical and legal issues with regard to testing and the results of a testing effort by the Philadelphia Commission of Human Relations.
