Mason City:

Credit Employment Housing Total
Race Familial Status
Tests Conducted 2 3 3 16 24
Different Treatment 2 1 0 3 6

Credit:

Test 1

Both testers met with the same personal banker. The personal banker asked the African American tester for his name, phone number, and information about where he worked. The personal banker did not ask for the white tester's phone number or ask questions about where he worked.

 

Test 2

The testers met with different staff members. The African American tester was given an application, credit card brochure, and business card. The white tester did not receive any printed materials. The African American tester was quoted a rate of 8.9% to 7.9% for a 60 month or 48 month loan. The white tester was quoted a rate of 8.5% to 8%.

 

Employment:

The testers met with different individuals at the customer service counter. The African American tester asked about openings and was told that the person he needed to speak with was in the hospital. The white tester asked about openings and was told about three different openings.

 

Familial Status:

Test 1

The tester posed as a single parent with a child and inquired about a one-bedroom apartment. The manager made the following statements during the test,

"I don't know that. We do not have any children here. Not that we don't take them. But we just don't have any children here. Umm. You know, we have people who get their children and stuff for the weekend or something like that. But we have no children living here on a permanent basis."

"Yeah, but that isn't big enough really if you want separate beds with a dresser in there. The $330, really, I would say no on that as far as. I wouldn't go in it with a child. I think it's too small. If you put two twin beds in there you would hardly have room for a chest of drawers in between 'em. You wouldn't even. I just. You might have room for a nightstand between them but I even doubt that with the dresser in there. I just - it's not a good situation."

"Too small almost."

 

Test 2

The tester posed as a married person with two kids and inquired about a two bedroom apartment. During the test the manger told the tester, "They aren't large enough."

 

Test 3

The tester posed as a married person with two kids and inquired about a two bedroom apartment. During the test the manger told the tester, "That might be too small. The bedrooms are pretty small." The manager added later, "The kitchen is a nice size and the living room is big but the bedrooms and bathroom are small."

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