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Regional Redistribution through the U.S. Mortgage Market

Author

Listed:
  • Hurst, Erik

    (University of Chicago)

  • Keys, Benjamin J.

    (University of Chicago)

  • Seru, Amit

    (University of Chicago)

  • Vavra, Joseph

    (University of Chicago)

Abstract

Regional shocks are an important feature of the U.S. economy. Households' ability to self-insure against these shocks depends on how they affect local interest rates. In the U.S., most borrowing occurs through the mortgage market and is influenced by the presence of government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). We establish that despite large regional variation in predictable default risk, GSE mortgage rates for otherwise identical loans do not vary spatially. In contrast, the private market does set interest rates which vary with local risk, and we postulate that the lack of regional variation in GSE mortgage rates is likely driven by political pressure. We use a spatial model of collateralized borrowing to show that the national interest rate policy substantially affects welfare by redistributing resources across regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Hurst, Erik & Keys, Benjamin J. & Seru, Amit & Vavra, Joseph, 2015. "Regional Redistribution through the U.S. Mortgage Market," Research Papers 3458, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:3458
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    JEL classification:

    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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