The federal government is charging one of the nation’s largest banks with discriminating against those with disabilities.
Officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development alleged Monday that Bank of America held customers with disabilities applying for home mortgages to a different set of standards.
Specifically, they said the bank applied “unnecessary and burdensome requirements” to borrowers with disability income and even asked some loan applicants to provide information from their physicians.
“Holding homebuyers with disabilities to a higher standard just because they rely on disability payments as a source of income is against the law,” said John Trasviña, assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity at HUD. “Mortgage companies may verify income and have eligibility standards but they may not single out homebuyers with disabilities to delay or deny financing when they are otherwise eligible.”
Federal housing officials said they were alerted to the alleged discrimination by borrowers in Michigan and Wisconsin who said that Bank of America required medical information and proof that they would continue to receive Social Security benefits.
The matter is now being referred to the Department of Justice.
Representatives from Bank of America did not respond to a request for comment.
I am so proud of all the people who addressed this situation. Taking on a bank and proving the institution has a policy that is unethical is a huge idea and very difficult to accomplish. This story is great in 2 ways; not only is it an example of the `common folk` bringing justice but the stort shows that people with disabilities can own property, not many think of this as a possability. I see a change in how we use the word`disability“ and the change is for the better. Everyone should have a safe place to live.
THATS THE LAST STRAW FOR YOU BANK OF AMERICA !!! I AM SHREDING MY CARD WITH YOU AND WILL REFUSE TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU. HOW FKG DARE YOU!! I see how your standards are!. And you can’t say”oh I wasn’t aware because Its the LAW!! I hope every person with a disability shredds your card.
Interesting that they would do this and yet most California State Disability payments are preloaded on a BofA debit card! Catch 22?
Last straw for me with BofA. It’s way past time for people, banks, and other businesses to stop punishmentof persons who are differently-abled, just because they’re are. Sickening!