Finger Pointing 101: Comptroller Dugan Tells FCIC Finanical Meltdown Was Particularly Nonbank Lenders’ Fault

Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan told the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission today that a key factor in the financial crisis was poor credit underwriting, particularly by nonbank lenders that were subject to little or no regulation, and said action is needed. 

“I believe the government should establish minimum, common sense underwriting standards for mortgages that can be effectively applied and enforced for all mortgage lenders, whether they are regulated banks or unregulated mortgage companies,” he said. “If we had had such basic, across the board rules in place ten years ago on income verification, down payments, and teaser rate mortgages, I believe the financial crisis would have been much less severe than it was.”