Bank to pay $7,500 for denying loan to lesbians
The case against Bank of America was the first of its type since the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued new anti-discrimination rules.
Bank of America has agreed to pay $7,500 to settle allegations that it refused to grant a loan to a lesbian couple because of their marital status and sexual orientation.
The case is the first of its type since the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a new rule requiring equal access to housing in HUD programs regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. That rule says lenders cannot base decisions about loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.
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"The HUD Equal Access Rule means just what it says: One’s sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status is not a legitimate basis on which to deny a mortgage," John Trasviña, HUD’s assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity, said in a news release. "Members of the housing industry should take note of this settlement agreement. HUD will enforce its regulations to make sure its programs are truly open to all qualified families."
The rule also applies to all other housing program administered by HUD.
It’s not unusual for unmarried couples -- or other people who are unrelated, such as business partners -- to seek a mortgage together.
In this case, two women, who were not identified in the HUD press release, were seeking to buy a home together in South Daytona Beach, Fla., using an FHA-backed mortgage. Because one did not have a job, her mother agreed to be a co-signer.
Everything went fine until one business day before the closing, HUD said, when "BOA denied the mortgage because it did not consider the loan applicant and the co-applicant directly related because the applicant and her partner were not married."
Bank of America agreed to pay HUD $7,500, update its training programs and remind its employees they are prohibited from discriminating against FHA loan applicants on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.
There was no immediate comment from Bank of America, but HUD praised the lender for "taking immediate corrective action after HUD notified BOA of the violation."
FHA mortgages are routinely granted to unmarried couples, though it’s important to make sure both people are legally protected. You can read more about FHA mortgages here.
this story is missing a lot of information, but from the little presented here it seems like the loan was denied because the loan did not fit BOA's lending guidelines. most lenders do not allow for non-occupant co-borrowers on FHA loans. based on the small amount of information provided, it appears that BOA discovered at the 11th hour that the co-borrower was not going to be occupying the residence, and denied the loan because it did not meet their lending guidelines. i am sure there was some deception or dishonesty on the borrowers' part and the loan officer's part, but the story gets presented one sided like BOA discriminates against homosexuals. if all of the facts were presented here, i am pretty sure BOA would be absolved of any wrong doing. the fact that only $7500 was issued as the settlement should also tell you BOA paid to shut these people up because there was no actual wrong doing outside of whatever the loan officer and borrowers committed.
I am an U.S. Combat Veteran, (OIF and a few others). I am a Muslim. i am a Republican member. i have three kids. and a weapons owner.
i pay taxes, i have a fixer upper home in an affluent area in Souther California. i speak English, i am an American Citizen (Brooklyn, NY--1st Generation), my boys go to Private Catholic Schools.
i am a man who loves women. Heterosexual.
does anyone know anyone i can sue to get something for nothing? perhaps, my feelings are hurt because i am unable to cope with homosexuals and i am unable to get any sort of compensation. is there a handout i am entitled to because i am a butt-hurt straight man?
thats right, my morals are no longer the norm. i have to be a gay or bi-sexual, tree hugging, Prius driving, liberal, anti war, 99%, 47% , nancy pelosi loving, organic flax eating douche to get anything.
or i can be myself, earn everything i have. like i do now.
business owner, father, proud American
Build a bridge --morons-- and get over it...
i wonder if the percentage of the "thumbs down" will be to the "thumbs up"---hmmmmm 99%, it is just a hunch.the difference? i am not predictible.--go figure. glad to be art of the 1% not GLAAD but GLAD.(Just to be clear)
BOA does suck by all means! I got my $9.73 check in the mail yesterday from the settlement on their check clearing practices...WOW!
While BOA should NOT discriminate they do, does your marital status ( or lack there of) really matter when taking out a loan that one would other wise qualify for?
Gays should be a protected class just a respected human. thats it.
Sounds like HUD is part of the problem too - $7500 isn't even a round on the golf course for the BofA C-suite.
If the couple had been black or other minority, that amount would have had 1 or 2 zeros after it.
BofA sucks anyway. Wake up people - why are you borrowing/giving money to the biggest offender in the mortgage crisis? Put your savings in a credit union - they work for you, not the stockholders.
About Teresa Mears
Teresa Mears is a veteran journalist who has been interested in houses since her father took her to tax auctions to carry the cash at age 10. A former editor of The Miami Herald's Home & Design section, she lives in South Florida where, in addition to writing about real estate, she publishes Miami on the Cheap to help her neighbors adjust to the loss of 60% of their property value.
msn real estate is social
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