The banks knew this. When they were lending $500,000 to a bus driver with $1,000 in his checking account, they knew that their loan was only guaranteed by the value of the home. If they didnt know it, they should have. Their incompetence is not our problem.
The banks were placed in a hard spot. Government forcing them to loan. As far as I am concerned there only two entities that were responsible. Frankeeeee and Dodd, ie government, and those “intelligent” American that could not afford it.