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A structural econometric model of price discrimination in the French mortgage lending industry

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Gary-Bobo

    (TEAM - Théories et Applications en Microéconomie et Macroéconomie - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Sophie Larribeau

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

We propose a model of discrimination in the market for mortgages. The model explains accepted loan applications and simultaneously determines loan sizes and interest rates. A competitive and a discriminating monopoly version of the model are proposed. Offered interest rates and loan sizes are a function of observable borrower characteristics. The competitive model rests on a marginal condition, reflecting contract optimality, to which a zero-profit condition is added. In contrast, the discriminating monopoly maximizes profits under a borrower participation constraint, reflecting the availability of a rental market as an outside option. Each version of the model is a bivariate, nonlinear model, and is estimated by standard maximum likelihood methods. The data used for estimation is a sample of clients of a French network of mortgage lenders. We show the presence of "social discrimination" in the data, the loan conditions depending not only on the borrower's wage and down payment, but also on the borrower's occupational status. Abnormally high risk premia in the competitive version of the model suggest the presence of market power, justifying an attempt at estimating its monopolistic version. The discriminating monopoly model estimates show that the borrowers' price-elasticity of demand for housing varies with occupational status, and is inversely related with the lender's interest rate markups. This confirms that the lender exploits structural differences in the preferences to discriminate, as predicted by standard theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Gary-Bobo & Sophie Larribeau, 2004. "A structural econometric model of price discrimination in the French mortgage lending industry," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-00068330, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:halshs-00068330
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2003.07.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Natalya Presman & Nitzan Tzur-Ilan, 2019. "Does Location Matter? Evidence on Differential Mortgage Pricing in Israel," Bank of Israel Working Papers 2019.14, Bank of Israel.
    4. Danny Ben-Shahar, 2008. "Default, Credit Scoring, and Loan-to-Value: a Theoretical Analysis under Competitive and Non-Competitive Mortgage Markets," Journal of Real Estate Research, American Real Estate Society, vol. 30(2), pages 161-190.
    5. Dungey, Mardi & Doko Tchatoka, Firmin & Yanotti, María B., 2018. "Using multiple correspondence analysis for finance: A tool for assessing financial inclusion," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 212-222.
    6. Zinovyeva, E. G. & Balynskaya, N. R. & Koptyakova, S. V. & Akhmetzianova, O.O., 2020. "Analysis of the residential mortgage market in the Ural Federal District," R-Economy, Ural Federal University, Graduate School of Economics and Management, vol. 6(1), pages 5-13.

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