Friedman Billings Ramsey has identified 56 metropolitan statistical areas that have persistently high default rates on subprime and alternative-A loans.According to FBR research, subprime loans in these MSAs (which cover 16 states) have a default rate of 13.82%, more than double the national subprime delinquency rate of 6.16% (for 331 MSAs). Alt-A loans in the 16 states carry a 2.54% delinquency rate, compared with 0.77% nationally. The MSAs include Buffalo, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati; and Cleveland. FBR analyst Michael Youngblood told MortgageWire that the problem MSAs have "rust belt, cotton belt, and farm belt economies that are stuck in the 19th century." He said delinquencies are rising in these areas in part because of layoffs in the automotive and auto parts industries. Mr. Youngblood said it's appropriate for lenders to "price each loan based on its individual risk."
