The CFPB recently released a significant report titled "Matched-Pair Testing in Small Business Lending Markets." This report summarizes the results of small business lending matched pair testing conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice. It provides valuable insights into the lending practices within the small business sector.

Key Findings and Implications

Encouragement/Discouragement

Lenders showed a more favorable attitude towards White testers when it came to providing objective encouragement or discouragement to apply for credit. On average, both Black and White testers were encouraged to apply, but White testers received slightly more positive feedback. Additionally, White testers subjectively reported feeling more encouraged compared to Black testers.For example, in one paired test, a Black tester was informed that his business was too small to qualify for the bank's small business loan products. However, a paired White tester with a similar-sized business was encouraged to apply for a small business line of credit.

Products and Potential Steering

Bank representatives were equally likely to discuss the requested products with both White and Black testers. However, they were more inclined to discuss non-requested products with Black testers. In one instance, a bank representative directed a Black tester towards a home equity line of credit product instead of a business line of credit, even though both testers had requested business credit.The CFPB acknowledges that the instructions given to testers may have influenced the product discussions and that future research is needed to further explore this aspect.

Customer Service

White testers subjectively reported higher levels of customer service compared to Black testers. Although there were no statistically significant differences in objective measures of customer service behaviors such as greetings or thank-yous, the overall experience differed.For instance, a Black tester entered a branch office and was not greeted or acknowledged. It took him a long time to find an employee to discuss his needs, and the representative he met couldn't answer many of his questions. In contrast, a White tester was greeted upon entry and received better assistance.

Information Requested of Tester

The CFPB did not find statistically significant differences between Black and White testers in terms of the amount of information requested during the visit or the likelihood of receiving a follow-up contact. Around one-third of test visits resulted in a follow-up email or call.Overall, while there were some differences observed in certain aspects of lending, the overall differences between Black and White testers seemed minimal.The CFPB emphasizes that the prohibition under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) extends to business-purpose credit transactions and that financial institutions can take certain compliance measures to mitigate the risk of ECOA violations. These include active oversight by the board and management, comprehensive policies and procedures, periodic reviews, and monitoring programs.Financial institutions can also conduct their own testing, such as the matched-pair testing framework used in this study, to identify potential risks.

Video games have emerged as a powerful cultural force, akin to comic books in their ability to captivate audiences. Hollywood's recent success in adapting video game properties has opened up a new era of entertainment. In the adult animated anthology series "Secret Level," creator Tim Miller took a unique approach by drawing inspiration from his previous show, "Love Death + Robots." This allowed for a fresh take on video game adaptations, where familiarity with the source material became a bonus rather than a requirement.

Unlock the Magic of Video Game Adaptations in "Secret Level"

From "Pac-Man" to "Armored Core": Diverse Game Adaptations in "Secret Level"

Video games come in all shapes and sizes, from light on story like "Pac-Man" to rich with lore like "Dungeons & Dragons" and "Warhammer 40,000". In "Secret Level," each episode showcases a different game, offering a unique perspective. Take the "Dungeons & Dragons" episode, for example. It tells a short fantasy adventure that taps into the decades' worth of lore across dozens of published stories. This shows how the series aims to capture the essence of a game in a single short format. It's not just about retelling the game but finding an emotional underpinning that connects with viewers.Another aspect is the variety of art styles. Each animation studio brings its own touch, as seen in the "Pac-Man" episode which goes for a bleak, bloody sci-fi dystopia instead of the classic 8-bit look. This freedom to reinterpret allows for a fresh and exciting exploration of each game.

The Scriptwriting Process: A Collaborative Effort

The scriptwriting process in "Secret Level" follows a similar path to that of "Love Death + Robots". Fiction writers pitch ideas based on the video games, and then Miller and his team select a story. The selected writer then crafts a short story that is adapted into a screenplay by the final writer. This collaborative effort ensures that the essence of the game is preserved while adding a new layer of storytelling.For instance, when adapting a game with strict guidelines, the team has to navigate those boundaries while still creating an engaging story. On the other hand, some studios give absolute free rein, allowing for more creative exploration. This diversity in the scriptwriting process adds to the uniqueness of each episode.

The Challenging Selection Process: Hundreds of Games Considered

Selecting the games for "Secret Level" was no easy task. The team considered hundreds of games, starting with a list of Miller's and his team's favorites. Then, they reached out to game studios, some of which were willing to take the leap and participate in this new format, while others were more hesitant.The politics involved in securing the rights to the games could be quite daunting. However, the team managed to get most of the games they wanted, with some still waiting in the wings. This shows the dedication and effort put into creating this unique anthology series."Secret Level" premieres on December 10 with its first two episodes and releases two episodes weekly through the January 27 finale. It's an exciting journey that takes viewers on a ride through the world of video game adaptations, showcasing the creativity and talent of the animators and writers.