Once banking markets were opened up to geographic diversity and competition, more banks were in a better position to lend money to small businesses-even in tough times.

States that have adopted laws against such lending had higher than average levels of income inequality over the past 10 years than did states that didn't pass such laws.

One would think that credit scores would be a predictor of who would default on a subprime mortgage. But that doesn't seem to be the case.