Minority mortgage bankers ask judge to block predatory lending law

ATLANTA - A mortgage bankers organization is suing to block Georgia&#39;s predatory lending law because it says the law hurts those it was meant to protect -- the poor and minorities. <br> <br> The National Minority Mortgage Bankers Association says the law is causing a ``severe reduction in the availability of credit to the public, particularly low- and moderate-income households.&#39;&#39; Several residents of DeKalb, Cobb and Fulton counties who were unable to get loans have joined the suit. <br> <br> The suit was filed in Fulton County Superior Court in October, but a judge transferred the proceedings Wednesday to DeKalb County, where the state Department of Banking and Finance has its main office and where its commissioner lives. <br> <br> Both sides agreed to expedite the case because of its impact on residents&#39; ability to receive home loans. <br> <br> No further hearing dates were immediately set.