Precision Without Labels: Detecting Cross-Applicants in Mortgage Data Using Unsupervised Learning

Authors

Hadi Elzayn, Simon Freyaldenhoven, Minchul Shin

Posted to EERN: August 5, 2025

FEDERAL RESERVE RESEARCH: Philadelphia

We develop a clustering-based algorithm to detect loan applicants who submit multiple applications (“cross-applicants”) in a loan-level dataset without personal identifiers. A key innovation of our approach is a novel evaluation method that does not require labeled training data, allowing us to optimize the tuning parameters of our machine learning algorithm. By applying this methodology to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, we create a unique dataset that consolidates mortgage applications to the individual applicant level across the United States. Our preferred specification identifies cross-applicants with 92.3% precision.

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