MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) – The US’ Fifth Third Bank’s mortgage unit will settle government charges of $1.52 million for discriminating against a disabled loan applicant by demanding letters from the applicant’s doctors, The Columbus Dispatch newspaper reported Friday.
Fifth Third Bank said in a statement that it is pleased to settle and “remains committed to making mortgages available on a fair and equitable basis,” The Columbus Dispatch reported.
The US Justice Department filed the settlement for the Fifth Third charges Thursday based on violations of the federal Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act by asking the applicant to provide doctor’s letters so as to document income from Social Security disabled insurance.
“My office is proud to have participated … in reaching a resolution of this matter that protects those with disabilities from having this unnecessary, inappropriate and illegal intrusion into the most private of their affairs,” said US attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia on Thursday.
According to a press release by the US Justice Department on Thursday, Fifth Third will pay the settlement into a fund that compensates eligible victims. The statement also said that Fifth Third would train the bank’s relevant employees such as loan officers and underwriters, and better monitor loan applications to prevent any disabled applicant from being asked for doctor’s letters.
