Article: Banks Respond to Demand For New Home Equity Loans

The new tax law is encouraging more Americans to use their homes as collateral for consumer loans, and banks-particularly large ones-are responding to the trend, a survey showed yesterday.

Banking industry and consumer groups, however, are warning that home equity loans have pitfalls and are not for everyone.

Consumers in 1986 borrowed $175 billion in second mortgages, $35 billion of that in the relatively new home equity loans, the American Bankers Association said, citing figures from the National Second Mortgage Association.

That compares with $150 billion in second mortgages and about $25 billion in home equity loans in 1985.

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!