How far back was it that bank’s were for the most part deregulated?

Basically 1995 under the Clinton administration. Not only did this start the loaning of money in excess of value, but allowed banks to jump into the securities business. The prime rate was around 7.5%. between 1995 thru 2000. If you recall you probably received many offers from banks and lending intuitions in your mail to refinance your home at a lower interest rate and could get as much as 130% of appraised value. I myself took advantage three times between 2000 and 2004 , refinanced my home at the time at the lowering interest rates. I advised anyone who would listen to not go for taking money out because most of the loan offers were at the rates offered with a 5 year balloon. I believe most people who took the lending intuitions up on these offers never considered this fact and believed the low interest rates would stay steady. Between 2000 and 2002 interest rates had dropped from about 7.5% to 4% the rates stayed pretty much steady until mid 2004 when these loans were starting to come to the end of their 5 year balloons and then the Prime rate started a steady climb from 2004 thru mid…