Source: American Banker —
Two new Bank of America lending programs seek to promote homeownership among minority borrowers as well as incentivize economic development in disadvantaged communities.
One is a pilot program that would offer mortgages to Black and Hispanic Americans using rent, utility and auto-insurance payment histories instead of traditional credit scores, BofA said in a news release Tuesday. The other is a down-payment relief program for women- and minority-owned small businesses that buy commercial real estate in federal opportunity zones.
Under the Community Affordable Loan Solution program, the structure of home loans for thin-file borrowers would be based on a home’s location and an applicant’s income. Potential homebuyers must complete U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development certification and counseling to qualify but do not have to obtain mortgage insurance.
